Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Man Drives Car Over 40-Foot Cliff, Miraculously Walks Away
A man is lucky to be alive after driving his car off a 40-foot oceanside cliff in San Diego.
Maurice Luque, the Public Information Officer for the San Diego Fire Rescue Department. told ABC News that the department received multiple calls at 5:45 a.m. this morning that a car had gone off a cliff and into the beach near Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and Osprey Street.
According to NBC News, which puts the cliff's height at 50 feet, the man actually walked away from the crash and into the water, since he'd landed right in the incoming tide.
The department immediately dispatched medics to the scene. According to NBC, San Diego Fire-Rescue put two lifeguard swimmers into the water while they set up a rope system to lower a paramedic down to the beach.
Support for LAist comes from
When they reached the driver, he was conscious but non-cooperative. "He was combative, he wanted to fight with our crews, he wanted to be left alone," said Luque. "He was not cooperating."
The medics had to restrain him, after which he calmed down, Luque said. He was then
transported to a hospital by helicopter with non-life-threatening injuries.
Intoxication would certainly explain the crash and his behavior, and the San Diego Police Department will have his bloodwork back within 48 hours, which will prove if drinking was the cause of the accident, ABC News reports.
A witness who called 911 said the gate in the parking area above had been snapped off and was wide open, NBC News reports, which means the man might have crashed through the gate as well. Since the car suffered rear-end damage, it apparently went over the cliff backwards. News crews filmed it being towed back up the cliff.
The San Diego Police Department is conducting an investigation. No charges have been filed at this point.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
Best of LAist