Memorial set for CHP officer, family

CHULA VISTA - A Highway Patrol officer, his wife, daughter and brother-in-law — all killed in a fiery crash in Santee — will be remembered at a Saturday memorial service in Chula Vista, it was announced Thursday.

Mark Saylor and his wife Cleofe, both 45, 13-year-old daughter Mahala and 38-year-old brother-in-law Chris Lastrella were killed in the crash at 6:35 p.m. Friday at the end of state Route 125 at Mission Gorge Road.

The officer was off-duty at the time of the crash.

They were in a 2009 Lexus loaned by Bob Baker Lexus in El Cajon while their vehicle was being serviced, authorities said. One of the occupants, believed to be Cleofe Saylor, called 911 to report the accelerator in the loaner vehicle was stuck, they were driving at a high rate of speed and couldn’t stop.

The car collided with an SUV waiting to turn left at the end of Highway 125, and continued across Mission Gorge Road, crashed through a fence and ended up on fire in the bed of the San Diego River.

All four victims died at the scene.

A public Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Calvary Chapel, 1771 E. Palomar St., Chula Vista, CHP Officer Brad Baehr said.

A viewing will be held from 2 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m., Baehr said.

The family welcomes participation by the public and CHP, but law enforcement officers are asked to wear civilian clothes, according to Baehr.

He said plans for a law enforcement memorial service have not been finalized.

The family has also requested donations be made to The Mark Saylor Family Memorial Fund, USE Credit Union, 8889 Rio San Diego, suite 102, San Diego, 92108. The credit union’s telephone number is (619) 725-3904. Refer to account number 80909390.

Tags: Bob Baker Lexus, CHP Officer Brad Baehr, Chris Lastrella, Mark Saylor, Mark Saylor Family Memorial Fund, SDNN

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