UPDATE: Crash Closes Freeway, Victim Airlifted

A man who plummeted off the side of Interstate 15 today was airlifted with serious injuries.

The crash was reported at 7:08 p.m. just south of Temecula Parkway on the southbound side of the freeway, according to CHP dispatch records.

The man, a 20-year-old male, lost control of his car, according to Officer J. Hackett of the CHP.

"The driver apparently lost control and swerved across traffic lanes and struck the left side bridge railing of the southbound 15 over Temecula Creek," the officer said.

The impact sent debris flying, hitting other vehicles, and the victim's car plunged into the creek bed, Hackett said.

The driver was trapped, and citizens stayed with him until firefighters freed him in a cut-and-rescue operation, according to Hackett.

The entire freeway was closed for about 15 minutes while a helicopter landed on the roadway to airlift the victim, who suffered serious injuries, Hackett said.

Traffic was backed up into San Diego County in the northbound lanes, and it was backed up into Murrieta on the southbound side.

What caused the driver to veer into other lanes and off the roadway was unclear, Hackett said.

"I don't have a cause at this point," he said. "it's still under investigation."

- Peter Surowski contributed to this report.