What began as back-room wheeling and dealing at San Diego’s City Hall has now gotten messy enough to become – at least potentially -- a "federal case."

At issue, apparently: Did Mayor Bob Filner and/or members of his staff break the law in connection with a six-figure donation from real estate developers?

In a front-page story Thursday, U-T San Diego reported that the FBI "has visited more than one city official" while looking into how Sunroad Enterprises got a special treatment for a big apartment complex that’s in its final build-out phases in Kearny Mesa.

The intrigue involves city property on two sides of Centrum Park, two acres of grassland and playground structures on Lightwave Avenue surrounded by swank townhouses and construction sites for hundreds of apartment units to the north and south.

Many neighbors of the park are only now becoming aware of the land-use controversy in their midst, and wonder if it might reach scandal proportions now that the U.S. Justice Dept. is reported to be investigating. 

“It could be a little embarrassing for the city if it gets that big,” said Jason Boutwell, interviewed Thursday while walking his Australian sheepdog and cattle dog in the park. “I think it would be in their best interest to clear it up as soon as possible.”

The back story?

It seems Sunroad’s building project encroached deep into 15 feet of required setback, or separation, from the public park property.
           
The firm came to the city  for an easement to make that legal.
           
A few years ago, Sunroad had a similar problem with a too-tall office tower nearby -- and, after ugly legal battles, had to lop off two stories.     

To residents in the Spectrum neighborhoods of Kearny Mesa, the park situation is an eerie case of deja vu.

"It's pretty strange,” said Derek Blattner, as he stopped to chat Thursday on his way out of Centrum Park, pulling his young son in a wagon.  “You'd think, maybe there's a lack of foresight into building.  I just don't know.  Or developers think they can just get away with whatever they want."

The easement was approved by the City Council, but vetoed by Mayor Filner.

He told reporters last week that Sunroad approached him to back off.

His answer: "Well, you know, you're getting free stuff from the city here.  Why should I do that?'  And they said, 'What if we made some donation to some city efforts?’"

That's where things 'went south', as recent events indicate -- and Centrum Park became the visual epicenter of rumblings about "shakedowns", "extortion", "quid pro quo".

One hundred thousand dollars in checks from Sunroad to the city have since returned by the mayor, who wanted to steer them to a veterans memorial and cycling event.

Where does that leave the easement? Does it become a civic gift to Sunroad?

Filner’s departed deputy chief of staff, who handled the arrangements, has told Voice of San Diego that Sunroad’s project would take a $200,000 hit without the easement – and that he persuaded the mayor to accept $100,000 in compensation to the city for granting it.

Meantime, miles away in Rolando, the developer of a multi-unit complex called Centerpoint have paid the city $150,000 to settle a lawsuit over Filner's voiding of its permits, in response to community opposition.

Folks visiting Centrum Park Thursday expressed hope that the financial outcome there favors them, and taxpayers in general.

Said Hector Rolando, taking a break from mentoring his young daughter in martial arts moves: "Maybe if they take this money and put more things in the park for the kids and people to benefit from, that wouldn't be so much of a problem.  But if nothing has been done and the money's gone -- that is the problem."

This, from Jason Boutwell: "With any real estate, there's got to be money that's got to be exchanged.  People don't just give things away for free, so that's how I look at it. I wouldn't expect anybody to give me something for free -- especially land. Especially here."

NBC 7 has reached out to the various players and 'parties in interest' in all this – receiving only “no-comment” replies or nothing in response.

Over the past decade, federal prosecutors have had mixed results pressing corruption cases involving city officials.

Sections and interpretations of the federal Hobbs Act cited by U-T San Diego cast a harsh light on Filner’s role in the Sunroad transaction.

But judges in the criminal cases stemming from the Cheetah’s strip club scandal and city pension debacle took different views of the ‘controlling’ statutes and behavior in question than Justice Department officials did.

A deadly motorcycle accident in Chula Vista Friday morning shut down an offramp lane along Interstate 5.

The incident happened around 6:30 a.m. on southbound I-5 at E Street when the driver of the motorcycle apparently lost control. No other cars were involved in the accident.

Officers responded to the scene and pronounced the driver dead shortly after they arrived.

One lane of the southbound E Street exit will be closed until around 8 a.m. while officers investigate. California Highway Patrol does not believe it will have an impact on traffic.

Check back for updates on this story.

The man who planned the Big Bay Boom breathed a sigh of relief Thursday night.

Auggie Santore, the man shouldering the blame for 2012 fireworks mishap, was watching the night sky fervently on Independence Day hoping that his elaborate display would light up.

And he wasn’t the only one looking above.

Thousands of people were anticipating the show after last year’s epic fail. With Santore calling the shots, everyone was depending on him to make sure the show went on without a “freak glitch.”

Not only would it be embarrassing if the show failed two years in a row, but also Garden State Fireworks would be brutally criticized should a second mishap occur.

With the weight of the company on his shoulders, Santore was extra careful in the days leading up to July 4. He, along with so many others, just wanted to watch a Big Bay Boom.

Thursday night finally rolled around, marking the one-year anniversary of the Big Bay Bust. Santore made his final preparations, and then went to a nearby rooftop to watch.

At first, it seemed as though the show was delayed. The crowd got antsy. Minutes ticked by, and still the sky remained black.

But at 9:05 p.m., Santore hit the magic button to start the show and fireworks boomed across the bay.

”And the crowd goes wild!” he screamed.

For the next 18 minutes and 30 seconds, sparkles shot across the sky. More than 500,000 people witnessed the splendor -- all a result of Santore’s hard work.

“This is special, this is personal, a lot of people questioned what our ability or skill may have been, and I’ve never questioned our ability or skill at all,” Santore said. “We are very prepared, we were very prepared tonight and it was phenomenal.”

An 85-year-old San Diego man who shot and killed his estranged wife in the middle of downtown received the maximum sentence Friday.

Joseph Gotell was convicted of murdering Deborah Meeks Gotell, 57 on a Saturday afternoon on the corner of at Fifth Avenue and Broadway.

In May 2011, Gotell shot his wife in the head in broad daylight and tossed the gun. As he walked away, Gotell told a nearby witness “That f_ing b__ch, I’ve been dealing with this for years” according to testimony.

On Friday, as the judge sentenced Gottel to the maximum 50 years to life in prison, he called the murder horrifying, shocking and premeditated.

Gotell tried to control his wife, the judge said, and when she tried to leave he stalked her, harassed her and ultimately killed her.

The killing was traumatic not only for her four daughters, but for the dozens of witnesses downtown who saw the murder the judge added.

Three of Deborah Meeks-Gotell’s daughters were in court for the sentencing. It has been a very emotional two years for them.

Magen Queen, on behalf of Deborah's oldest daughter Satimah Collins, told the court, “You cannot judge a book by its cover. He may be old but his age had nothing to do with his ability to be dangerous, vindictive, controlling mean and a calculated murderer."

Deborah's daughters say throughout the two years in court, Gotell never showed remorse.

Even as he was being sentenced, Gotell said he regretted his actions, but never apologized for them.

Meeks’ daughter Nefera Croom said she was relieved by the sentence and that the family is ready to put this chapter behind them.

“He’s a danger to people around him and to himself,” Croom said.

The Gotells were married for 5 years but separated before the shooting. In an earlier interview with NBC 7 San Diego, Deborah Gotell's three daughters described earlier threats of violence made by Joseph toward their mother.

Poisoned meatballs planted along sidewalks in the Bay Area are making dogs "severely ill," according to reports.

The meatballs appear concentrated in  in the Twin Peaks and Diamond Heights neighborhoods of San Francisco, the San Francisco Examiner reported.

Several dogs, including one named "Oskar", ate some of the meatballs and became very ill.

Oskar is currently at Animal Internal Medicine and Specialty Services. The poison appears to be strychnine, one veterinarian told the newspaper.

At least 50 pieces of poisoned meatballs and other dog treats have been located, according to San Francisco police.

The poisoned treats are threats to children as well as dogs, animal experts say.

Police have been notified but there are no suspects at this time.

Despite wounds consistent with a shark attack, officials have determined that a man found dead off the shores of La Jolla two months ago committed suicide.

Brandon Beaver, 42, was found on May 9 lying in the kelp at the waterline near Tourmaline Beach, several hundred yards from where a search was initiated hours before, lifeguards said.

In an official autopsy report released Friday, the county medical examiner's office concluded Beaver was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs when he decided to remove his wetsuit and tie it around his surfboard.

Even though the report mentions several bite marks on the body from sevengill and possibly a juvenile white shark, there are signs that Beaver was dead before the bites occurred.

"There was no evidence whatsoever that his death was due to shark attack, as all findings indicated postmortem marine animal activity," the report states.

A general contractor, Beaver had been an avid surfer in his life but had not been out on the water for some time, according to the report.

His fiancée told investigators Beaver had a history of depression, mental issues, including bipolar disorder and suicidal thoughts and had been stressed with family and money problems prior to his death, officials said.

The California Highway Patrol made nearly four dozen DUI arrests over the 4th of July holiday, officials reported on Friday.

According to the CHP, a total of 46 drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in San Diego County between 6:01 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Friday.

That’s nine more DUI arrests than last year’s count, although the 4th of July holiday period for 2013 is longer than in 2012, the CHP said.

Statewide, CHP officials arrested 564 suspected DUI drivers. In 2012, CHP officials made 479 DUI arrests across California over the 4th of July holiday.

There were zero DUI-related fatalities in CHP jurisdictions this year, and nine statewide.
 

Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) is a San Diego-based program giving emergency financial help to enlisted families like the Shrums.

Special Section: San Diego Military News

U.S. Navy swimmer PO1 Kyle Shrum and his wife, Heather, say that they want the very best for their kids. They were having a tough time providing that before STEP offered help.

While Gaige and his sister Taylor were in the womb, Gaige was on the bottom with his head jammed in place. So, he was born with a flat spot on his head that concerned his parents.

"To be a boy and not have hair covering his head like us women do, his head would be really noticeable," said Heather Shrum.

The Shrums’ doctor recommended a doc band helmet that cost several thousand dollars and insurance wouldn’t cover what they view as cosmetic.

Since Heather left her job to be a full-time mom, money's been tight.

"To hear that number to come up with - that was very hard."

“I can compartmentalize pretty well, but when it's your kids, it takes a toll on you,” said Kyle Shrum.

So what a relief when the Shrums arrived to the appointment and the check for the payment had already arrived, provided by STEP.

STEP helps in a variety of ways from providing emergency food to families trying to make it to their next pay check to providing assistance when families fall short on rent or needed children's items.

The organization helps eligible active duty military members in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial Counties.

"It takes all your worries away once we found out it was like a huge, huge, huge relief to know we were going to have help," said Kyle Shrum.

If you’re interested in donating to STEP to help other military families, go to their website.
 

If you're someone who's gotten used to parking an oversized vehicle on San Diego's streets for days on end, those days may soon be numbered.

On Monday, the City Council takes up proposed measures to ban a practice that community activists say is a public safety issue, as well as visual blight.

This overview, from Scott Chipman, a Pacific Beach resident whose activist group -- San Diegans United for Safe Neighborhoods -- has been on-mission for eight years: "We've got commercial vehicles stored on the streets. We've got boats on trailers, just trailers, we've got jet skis on trailers, and the parking enforcement is just not doing the job.

“If they could actually enforce the 72-hour limit, it wouldn't be a problem. But they can't."

So the owners of big rigs all too often get a ticket-free license to leave their machinery parked endlessly in non-metered spaces -- annoying the neighbors and posing safety hazards to drivers.

"When you've got streets lined with vehicles and RV's, you can't see to pull out of your driveway,” Chipman said in an interview Friday. “You can't see if there's somebody who's coming out from the sidewalk. You can't see at the corners when you’re trying to negotiate through an intersection."

With this in mind, city officials have come up with plans that would ban street-side parking for oversized vehicles from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. daily, effectively discouraging ‘all-nighters’.

There's also concern about people who live in their vehicles -- in violation of state law, and maybe even parole conditions.

But Ron Bernstein, one motorhome owner who’s received tickets for 72-hour limit violations in the beach areas, says free overnight parking is a matter of survival for many who can't afford rent: "The whole city is not going to benefit by people becoming homeless -- and I believe they will become homeless, because the neighborhood bullies are forcing them out of their vehicles and onto the street."

If a citywide ban doesn't fly with the Council, another proposal would apply only to the beach areas, under a 2-year pilot program.

"It's critical for us to get something now, and get it started,” Chipman says. “Find out if the problem moves, and if it does move into other communities, then implement as necessary."

There'd be certain vehicle exemptions and special permits for houseguests with RV's, and travel preparations.

According to a city staff report, fines and permit fees would cover the pilot program costs -- roughly $800,000 for the beach areas alone and nearly $2 million for a citywide ban.

A Temecula-based firefighter/paramedic with the Cal Fire died Friday when he was struck by a vehicle along Interstate 10 in Riverside County.

Engineer Christopher Douglas, 41, was struck by a pickup truck as he responded to a traffic collision Friday morning, officials said.

Emergency crews transported Douglas to nearby Desert Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The eight-year veteran of Cal Fire has family in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Denver and Colorado Springs.

Gov. Jerry Brown offered his condolences in a written statement: “Anne and I were saddened to learn of the death of Engineer Christopher Douglas. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fellow state firefighters.”

The incident will be investigated by the California Highway Patrol Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT), according to Cal Fire officials.

Douglas is survived by his wife, Amy, and 2-year-old son, Samuel "Sammy." Douglas is also survived his siblings, Martin Douglas and family of Colorado Springs, Heather Douglas of Denver, mother, Rose Porter of Colorado Springs, and his in-laws, Ronald and Sheryl Aitken of Newport Beach, and sister in law Jessica Carroll & her family of Costa Mesa, and sister in law Veronica Herrington and family from Newport Beach, according to the agency.

Cards can be sent to the family in care of:
CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department
c/o Douglas Family
210 W. San Jacinto Ave
Perris CA, 92570

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner still refuses to provide the cost of a special trip he took to Paris last week, funded by the nonprofit arm of the National Council of Resistance of Iran.

NBC 7 Investigates found Congressional gift and travel reports that provide details on prior trips he took to Paris with the same group.

It’s been six days since Filner returned from a group rally in Villepinte, France, near Paris, and few details have emerged about the cost and purpose of the trip.

However, NBC7 Investigates dug up documentation of Paris trips during Filner's time in Congress, funded by the same groups, part of the National Council of Resistance of Iran.

The most recent trip, Filner briefly told reporters, was a business trip with the purpose of bringing jobs to San Diego.

He has since declined to provide details about who he met with there or what jobs were being targeted for San Diego.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran sent out a news release stating Filner attended the Iranian Resistance Annual Gathering.

Gift and travel reports from 2011 and 2007 trips to Paris, funded by the nonprofit arm of the same organization, show then-Congressman Filner took a $6,588 trip with the same group in 2011 and a $7,900 trip in 2007. That was part of a successful lobbying effort to remove the group from the U.S. terrorist watch list, covered by the same organization.

When asked by a reporter for more specifics on what Iran had to do with jobs in San Diego, Filner responded:

“Only to the extent that me, as the mayor, has had a strong position on human rights in Iran.”

Filner said Friday that he would have a detailed accounting of the most current trip to provide to the media in a couple days, but he has not yet done so.

Two city security officers and Filner's fiancé accompanied him on the travel.

State law says local elected officials may not accept gifts in excess of $420.

However, if the trip has a "governmental or legislative" purpose, and it is paid for by a nonprofit, as this trip was, it falls under a loophole to that gift limit.

Authorities with the San Diego Ethics Commission say even though the trip may not be subject to the gift limit, the funded travel still must be reported on state-mandated gift forms.

The document that will provide more details on costs, like the lodging, travel and airfare is due Jul. 31.

An 8-month-old child is dead after his mother allegedly accidentally left him in a hot car all day while she was at work.

According to police, the Virginia woman drove to work in Arlington, forgetting she had left her baby in the car. When she left work Friday afternoon she saw her baby in the car and immediately drove to INOVA Alexandria Hospital just after 4 p.m. The baby was pronounced dead.

An investigation is pending.

Police recommend parents of young children are extra careful during hot summer months.

"Slow down and be careful... try not to let things get too busy," Lt. Mark Bergin with the Alexandria Police Department said.

Also on Friday, a 16-month-old girl died after being left in a car for about four hours in Baltimore.

According to KidsAndCars.org, every year, approximately 38 children die from being trapped inside hot cars.

The renowned Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente soccer team held practice at Petco Park on Friday as part of their pre-season preparations.

The “Xolos,” as they’re called by adoring fans, have made strides over the last few years as Tijuana’s first soccer team, securing a spot in Mexico’s top flight league.

Last December, fans all over the region watched as the team won its first title as champions of Mexico’s soccer league.

In anticipation of their upcoming soccer season, the team plans to spend their last few days training in San Diego. They held an autograph-signing session for fans in San Diego on Friday afternoon.

More than 200 fans lined up to meet their favorite Xolos players, many of them sporting team jerseys.

National City resident Carlos Guerrero told NBC 7 he had been waiting for hours to meet the team, and would’ve happily waited even longer.

“Right now, it means a lot to me,” said Guerrero.

Local Ruby Ledesma says her family supports the Xolos year-round.

“It’s exciting. We go and see the game every chance we get. It’s just an awesome team,” Ledesma said.

The Xolos will play an exhibition game against Club America at Petco Park on Saturday as part of their San Diego Clásico exhibition series.

The game is expected to draw a large, lively crowd. It followsthe 1-1 draw at last year’s Clásico match, which was held at Qualcomm Stadium. Tickets to the match-up are available here.

Additional pre-season matches include a game against Correcaminos on Jul. 10 and Dorados de Sinaloa on Jul. 13, both at Estadio Caliente in Tijuana. General admission tickets to those matches are available through this website.

After that, the real competition begins.

The Xolos will play their LIGA MX home opener on Jul. 19 against Atlas de Guadalajara at Estadio Caliente. That game begins at 7:30 p.m.

This season, the team plans to continue fostering their relationship with fans across both sides of the border.

This past May, the Xolos were honored by the city of San Diego. Mayor Bob Filner and councilmember David Alvarez recognized the team at City Hall for its success both on and off the field.

"We are so proud of the Xolos," said Mayor Filner back in May. "When our teams aren't doing so well like the Padres and the Chargers, we point with pride at our team the Xolos because we're all one region."

Club Tijuana was also honored for its work with kids who want to become athletes.

The team has played a role in a crime prevention initiative that helps Tijuana’s youth stay away from drugs and violence by encouraging kids to take up sports instead.

Apartments are going up at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but your housemates definitely won't be the Obamas.

A developer petitioned the D.C. government to acquire the 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Southeast address, a ways away from the first family's Northwest abode.

The Southeast land is now home to a used car lot, but decades ago, it was a go-to haven for drug addicts. The 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. SE apartments are set to go up in 2015, and not everyone is impressed by the marketing scheme selling the famous address.

"I don't think it's funny," one Southeast resident told News4's Mark Segraves. "They're just throwing up places right now trying to inconvenience other people."

Tourists visiting the White House however have a different attitude.

"Oh wow! That sounds interesting" Lottie Polk said.

The developer tells News4 the 5-story building will look over the Anacostia River and will in no way resemble the White House.

Beginning Monday at 8 a.m., the East Palomar Street Bridge over Interstate 805 in Chula Vista will close for one year as part of a construction project, Caltrans officials said.

Caltrans said the closure is necessary to replace the bridge as part of the construction of a Direct Access Ramp (DAR), Transit Station and Park & Ride.

The I-805 DAR will be completed by winter 2014, and will allow cars to enter new carpool lanes currently under construction without merging through general purpose lanes.

It’s all part of the first phase of the I-805 South Express Lanes Project, which includes building one carpool lane in each direction along an 8-mile stretch from the I-805 at East Palomar Street to State Route 94.

For now, Caltrans said drivers traveling west on East Palomar Street will be detoured onto northbound Oleander Avenue, then west on East Naples Street, then south on Melrose Avenue to westbound East Palomar Street.

Drivers traveling east on East Palomar Street will be detoured north on Melrose Avenue, east on East Naples Street, then south on Oleander Avenue to eastbound East Palomar Street.

For more about this particular Caltrans project, visit this website or call the Construction Hotline at (888) 941-5005.
 

A school district investigation into a relationship between a Redlands teacher and a student with whom she’s now accused of having a sexual relationship – and a baby – did not result in a report to police or child protective services, according to court documents filed Friday.

In May, the Redlands Unified School District questioned Laura Elizabeth Whitehurst – a Citrus Valley High School teacher who was arrested Monday on suspicion of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor – as well as her alleged victim.

Whitehurst was at the time more than seven months pregnant, and police on Monday said the father was a teen student with whom she had an ongoing sexual relationship.

An affidavit submitted Wednesday to a San Bernardino County judge by Redlands police Detective Dominick Povero describes Whitehurst’s alleged relationship with the teen, as well the school district’s investigation into the pair on May 16 and May 17.

Povero was seeking a search warrant for school records related to the investigation, and San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Richard Peel on Wednesday granted him access to personnel files for Whitehurst, as well as her work emails and any relevant property on the Citrus Valley High campus. The document was filed in public court records Friday.

“Evidence from email communication and personnel files may show teachers, school administrators, and district administrators failed to report suspected child abuse as mandated,” Povero wrote.

Whitehurst, 28, pictured in her booking photo below, was released from police custody Monday night on $25,000 bail. Police said she had given birth on June 18.

On Wednesday, police said investigators had learned of two other alleged victims since Whitehurst’s arrest was made public.

One alleged victim was a freshman at the time of a sexual relationship in 2007 and 2008, which occurred at the same time as a similar relationship with a boy, now 23, who spoke to NBC4 about his experience with Whitehurst.

"There wasn't a thought of, 'I'm going to get in trouble' or 'Should I say something?'" Michael Cooper told NBC4 of a relationship he described during his junior year at Redands High School, where Whitehurst was his English teacher. "It's more of like, 'Holy cow, this hot teacher is into me.'"

The affidavit from Povero provides details of the police investigation into Whitehurst and the teen -- and into the school district questioning of the pair that took place more than six weeks before the teacher's arrest.

The court filing states that Redlands Unified Assistant Superintendent Sabine Robertson-Phillips had spoken to Whitehurst about her relationship to the  victim, described as “John Doe.” Citrus Valley High Principal Bernard Cavanagh spoke to “John Doe,” according to Povero.

But it was not until the alleged victim’s mother contact school district officials – after Whitehurst gave birth – that educators got in touch with police, the affidavit states. That happened on Monday, when detectives went to speak with the ”John Doe,” who was 16 when the alleged relationship began and is 17 now.

The teen told detectives he had had an “ongoing” relationship with Whitehurst since July 2012, the document states.

“John Doe and Whitehurst met at a school sponsored trip to Disneyland, where they began communicating,” the affidavit states.

Their sexual relationship included “numerous instances of sexual intercourse and sexual oral copulation” that continued weekly after Whitehurst became pregnant last September, according to the document.

Whitehurst told the teen he was her only recent partner and therefore the father of the child, Povero wrote. The teen attended the birth, according to the document.

In his presence, Povero had the teen call Whitehurst, who on the phone confirmed their relationship and that the teen was the baby’s father, the detective wrote.

When Poverothen  spoke to Whitehurst in person, she confirmed the above details of the relationship, the detective wrote.

Officials with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office told NBC4 they expect charges against Whitehurst to be filed July 8.

School district officials on Tuesday issued a statement that said the district was cooperating with the investigation.

"The District was recently made aware of allegations involving a high school student and teacher. We immediately notified the police and placed the employee on leave,” the statement read.

"Because we do not want to jeopardize the ongoing investigation, we are unable to comment further at this time," the school district statement continued. "We appreciate the quick response to our complaint by the Redlands Police Department. Our heart goes out to the victim and his family."

Several cars and semi-truck crashed on Interstate 805 in National City Friday night, California Highway Patrol officials confirmed.

The collision happened just after 10 p.m. on northbound I-805 near State Route 54.

CHP officials said four to five vehicles were involved in a chain reaction-type collision, including a semi-truck.

One driver involved in the multi-vehicle accident told NBC 7 he was driving along the freeway when he saw a semi-truck disabled in the third lane, with its lights off.

The man said another person driving a Ford Ranger pickup truck along the freeway didn't see the stalled semi-truck and ran right into it. From there, a chain reaction crash occurred involving several other vehicles.

A SigAlert was issued immediately following the crash and CHP officials shut down all northbound lanes of the I-805 near the scene, diverting traffic to SR-54.

Medics were called to the scene.

By 11:15 p.m. fire dispatch officials said at least two people had been transported to local hospitals.

At this point, it is unclear exactly how many people were involved in the crash or the extent of injuries.

Check back for updates.