LA MESA, Calif. -- The driver killed in a high-speed crash that split his car in half Wednesday has been identified as a local college student.

The Medical Examiner's Office said Devan Caddell, 18, of Jamul, died at the scene. He was a student at Mesa College in San Diego. He is survived by his parents, Pam and Jay Caddell.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Caddell was driving more than 100 miles an hour when his 2001 Acura Integra flew off Highway 94 near College Avenue in La Mesa. The car crashed through a chain link fence and smashed into a tree in the back yard of Irene Asfar.


The Acura was split in two by the impact, with half of the car stuck in the tree, and the other half landed in a back yard. Caddell was thrown from the car and died.


The CHP believes Caddell was racing a white Mustang prior to the crash. Officers are working to locate the driver of that car. Meanwhile, the residents along that deadly stretch of highway told NBC 7/39 they are upset that CalTrans has done nothing to protect them. Asfar said it has happened before, and until something is done to protect her property, it can happen again.


"I have called CalTrans, and they have done nothing about it," Asfar said.

On Jan. 21, 2006, a car tore through the fence and ended up in her back yard. Then in December, another car tore through the small chain link fence again.