Aaron Cardenas Dies Months After I-5 Freeway Crash in National City

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (August 6, 2026) — A 20-year-old San Ysidro man has died nearly four months after suffering critical injuries in a two-vehicle crash on the Interstate 5 Freeway near Mile of Cars Way in National City.
According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office Aaron Sebastian Cardenas died at 5:50 p.m. on July 31 at UC San Diego Medical Center. The Medical Examiner determined his death was caused by complications of blunt force trauma sustained in the collision.
The crash occurred on April 2 on northbound Interstate 5, just south of Mile of Cars Way in National City. Emergency personnel responded to the scene and found Cardenas injured. He was transported to a local hospital, where he remained under medical care until his death.
The Medical Examiner classified the manner of death as an accident. No contributing medical conditions were identified.
The California Highway Patrol investigated the collision. Additional details about the circumstances of the crash, including what led to the collision or whether any other injuries were reported, have not been released. Next of kin have been notified.
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