1 person dies after SUV dangles from freeway

[April 26, 2012]  SAN DIEGO (AP) -- A family's wrecked SUV dangled off the side of a San Diego freeway Wednesday as construction workers positioned a forklift to keep the mangled vehicle from falling, and then helped the four adults and an 8-year-old boy who were inside, authorities said.

A 66-year-old woman who was sitting in the backseat in the vehicle later died at a local hospital after suffering major head trauma in the accident, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Brian Thomas, 43, of San Diego was driving his family to Disneyland in Anaheim in a Toyota Rav4 when it was struck by a car that swerved to avoid another vehicle making an illegal lane change on Interstate 805, according to the CHP.

The SUV rolled over several times, slammed into the center divider and nearly dropped into a freeway construction zone 30 feet below.

"Workers from below moved a heavy-duty forklift into position and supported the rear of the Rav4 until rescue personnel arrived," said CHP Officer Art Athans in a release.

Brian Thomas suffered broken ribs, cuts and bruises. His wife Rebecca Thomas, 42, suffered minor injuries. The 8-year-old boy was treated for facial lacerations and bruises. Daniesha Thomas, 22, was also treated for lacerations or bruises.

Authorities did not release the name of the woman who died.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.