LJ Brewery hostess dies in crash

A 21-year-old woman was killed today when her speeding car slammed into a tree in Scripps Ranch, police said.

The woman was driving a 2001 Volkswagen eastbound on Pomerado Road, approaching Willow Creek Road, when she crashed around 1:15 a.m. and was ejected from her burning car, said San Diego police Sgt. Alan Hayward.

She died at the scene, he said, adding that speeding was a factor.

County corner officials identified the woman as Jennifer Laurie Brainerd, a hostess at Rock Bottom Brewery in La Jolla. She lived with her parents in Scripps Ranch.