Bombs detonated next to I-15, Escondido Today

Never a dull moment when driving the freeways of southern California..

Today we got caught for a few hours in the middle of this weird event:

ESCONDIDO — Southbound lanes of Interstate 15 in Escondido reopened Friday afternoon after being closed for more than two hours as a precaution while sheriff's bomb investigators detonated explosives found at a home.



Yup...some software tech living there had a lot of explosives in and around his home. A gardener stepped on something in the yard..and kaboom! He had injuries to an eye and an arm, but is going to be okay after an ambulance ride to the hospital.

We were traveling east looking for Dixon Lakes RV resort just east of Escondido, when the interstate was shut down...bummer. Nothing moved for quite a while, so we pulled way over, cracked a couple cold ones..(diet cokes of course)..and baked a pizza. Not a bad way to spend the time waiting.

Finally, after an eternity with thousands of others waiting, we slowly moved ahead...inch by inch..until exiting finally at Escondido. What a day...



A few news stations were there with helicopters and satellite vans. I think we were in this shot by Channel 10..kinda looks like my Southwind rooftop. I noticed the camera van shooting as we inched our way to the exit.

The righthand freeway lane past Centre City Parkway will remain closed as an investigation continues at a Via Scott home adjacent to the west side of I-15.


The sheriff’s bomb squad began its investigation Thursday when a gardener was seriously injured in an explosion at a house on Via Scott, west of I-15, that backs up to the freeway. He stepped on some kind of explosive, authorities said.

George Jakubec, 54, who lives at the house, was arrested on suspicion of possession of destructive material, manufacture of destructive material and unlawful possession of explosives. He is being held in the Vista jail on $100,000 bail.

Caldwell said investigators were interviewing Jakubec's wife.

The freeway closure at Centre City Parkway, originally set for 9 a.m., started at 11:30 a.m. and the traffic backup was immediate. By noon, motorists were stacked up from Deer Springs Road.

Drivers continued south on Centre City Parkway through the city and rejoined the freeway at the south end of town. Escondido police directed drivers through the intersection of Centre City Parkway and El Norte Parkway.

The controlled detonation of explosive material at a Via Scott house was delayed several times. A planned series of five blasts began about 1:40 p.m. and concluded about 20 minutes later.




A siren blared out a warning, a bomb technician yelled, "Fire in the hole!" and an explosion like that of a large firecracker was heard from half a block away, where reporters were gathered. A plume of white smoke was seen over the homes.

It was not unlike an amatuer 4th of July fireworks snafu we witnessed earlier this summer in the NorthWest. Lots of smoke and some dull thuds.

And that was our day...

America..What the hell has happened to us?

Thank Zues and Pacifico we have Baja. Wait...I take that back..we have some crazies down there, too. I recall some fires a few years ago...

[Edited on 11-20-2010 by Pompano]

Pompano,
The crazy part is ONLY 100,000. USD bail!!!!!
Rob a Seven 11 and you would probably recieve the same.
Lucky you were in your escape module,I bet you could have lasted for hours untill your SODAS ran out!!!

The answer is in the hands of the Gods..and Co-Pilot.

Dare I ask why you ask??

p.s. I will NOT haul a camel to Baja anymore.

[Edited on 11-20-2010 by Pompano]