The Medical Examiner's Office identified the driver as Craig Yerkes.

The crash happened about 11:30 a.m. on Camino del Rey at Via de la Reina, the California Highway Patrol said.

Witnesses working on the south side of the road told authorities they heard the vehicle accelerate – estimating the speed at 100 mph or more – before veering sharply to the right and striking the tree head-on. –T.S.

Faulty automobile injures three at farmers market

PACIFIC BEACH: A 70-year-old man suffered a broken leg yesterday morning when he was struck by a car with mechanical problems while shopping at a farmers market at the Promenade Mall on Mission Boulevard between Reed Avenue and Pacific Beach Drive.

The car also bumped two women, who suffered minor scrapes and complained of pain.

All three were taken to a hospital, San Diego police Sgt. Garry Collins said. The accident happened about 10:40 a.m.

Police said the 40-year-old motorist, who was driving his car out of the parking lot, had a problem with his clutch, “causing him to lurch into a group of three pedestrians.” The driver was not arrested.

A cashier at nearby restaurant Eggery Etc. said the tent covering the produce stand where the injured man was shopping buckled and tomatoes were sent flying. –H.G. & T.S.

CRIME WATCH

15-year-old boy found shot to death in alley

ESCONDIDO: A teenager's body was found early yesterday in an alley at Seventh Avenue and Spruce Street in Escondido.

The boy was identified as Eduardo Aranda, 15, of Escondido.

Escondido police responded to a call received about 12:30 a.m. Officers found that Aranda had been shot and was not breathing, and they performed CPR. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses told police they saw Aranda walking north on Spruce Street, and a small red car drove up next to him. Gunshots were heard.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective John O'Donnell at (760) 839-4756 or the Anonymous Tip Line at (760) 743-8477. –H.G. & T.S.

49 are arrested in sweep on outstanding warrants

LEMON GROVE: Forty-nine people were arrested yesterday when San Diego County sheriff's deputies conducted a sweep to catch people with outstanding warrants for misdemeanors and felonies.

The sweep took place in Lemon Grove, unincorporated portions of El Cajon and La Mesa, and the unincorporated communities of Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego, Casa De Oro and Jamul.

Deputies from the sheriff's Court Services Field Unit and Fugitive Task Force detectives conducted the sweep.

Sixty-four warrants, most of them related to misdemeanors, were cleared. Several were for felonies. –H.G.

Staff writers Tanya Sierra and Helen Gao and The Associated Press contributed to this report.