Driver, 55, killed when car crashes into a tree near Spring Valley

The San Diego Union - Tribune. San Diego, Calif.: Feb 21, 2002

Gregory Ripperger, 55, died after his car spun off Jamacha Boulevard in La Presa, near Spring Valley, the CHP said. The car smashed into a pepper tree and through a chain-link fence before coming to rest against a pump at a waste-water plant, the CHP said.

SPRING VALLEY -- The California Highway Patrol is trying to determine why a sports car left the road during what seemed to be a routine passing maneuver in East County and crashed into a tree, killing its driver, late Tuesday.
Gregory Ripperger, 55, died after his car spun off Jamacha Boulevard in La Presa, near Spring Valley, the CHP said. The car smashed into a pepper tree and through a chain-link fence before coming to rest against a pump at a waste-water plant, the CHP said.
"The victim was eastbound on Jamacha at an estimated speed of 65 miles per hour and was passing a tow truck at that speed," said CHP Officer J. Jenkins. "The tow truck driver reported seeing the vehicle fishtailing out of control."
The speed limit in the area is 45 mph, Jenkins said. However, there were two lanes in each direction and the road at that point is not tricky, he said.
"It's a straightaway in that location. It's relatively level. There's no real reason to run off the road," said Jenkins.
Ripperger was wearing his seat belt, and the car's air bags deployed during the crash, the officer said.