French Writer Killed in San Diego Car Crash

Christina Cole

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A French auto writer was killed when he lost control of the convertible on a bend on Highway 78 and landed upside down 100 feet below the curvaceous mountain road, said authorities.

Michael Barelli, 54, died on impact at approximately 2:10pm on Saturday, said Jim Bettencourt of the California Highway Patrol.

French media reports that Barelli was a writer for daily newspaper Nice-Matin.

Patrick Louis, passenger, was taken to Palomar Hospital for the treatment of facial lacerations. Bettencourt said Louis is expected to make a full recovery.

Barelli and Louis were on a promotional tour with the vehicle and were heading to Julian for lunch when the accident occurred, Bettencourt said.

The two-seater went down an embankment just past a left hand turn about 3 miles east of the community of Wynola Springs, Bettencourt said. He did not know how fast the car was going at the time of the accident.

Bettencourt said investigations were ongoing, but it did not appear that alcohol had played a role in the crash.