Head-On Crash Kills 1, Hurts 2

An 85-year-old San Marcos man was killed Tuesday in Escondido when the car he was riding in wandered across a road and struck an oncoming vehicle, said a police spokeswoman.

Alva Ward Engleman, who was a passenger in the car driven by his 77-year-old wife, died from internal injuries, according to the coroner’s office. He was not wearing a seat belt.

According to police, Engleman’s car was traveling east on Lincoln Avenue when it crossed into westbound traffic near Gamble Street and collided with a station wagon driven by a 50-year-old Escondido man. The identity of the driver of the westbound car was not available.

All three were taken to Palomar Memorial Hospital.

Engleman’s wife underwent surgery Tuesday afternoon, according to hospital officials. She was listed in critical condition, with two broken legs and chest and facial injuries.

The driver of the station wagon was in fair condition, hospital officials said.