Driver dies after crashing into hydrant, electrical box during short pursuit

The driver died after he led officers on a 30-second pursuit from Interstate 8 to Camino del Rio South on Saturday, officials said


Driver dies after crashing into hydrant, electrical box during short pursuit + ' Main Photo'

A driver died Saturday night after he led police on a short pursuit that ended with him crashing into a hydrant and electrical box in Kensington, a San Diego police official said.

The incident began shortly before 9:45 p.m. when officers attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding on Interstate 8, but the driver failed to yield, Lt. Mike Kellington told Sideo TV.

A driver died after crashing into a hydrant and power transformer box in Kensington. Video still: SIDEO TV

Kellington said the pursuit lasted approximately 30 seconds before the driver crashed into a fire hydrant and a power transformer on Camino del Rio South near Caminito Pintoresco.

As officers approached the car, the water became energized, Kellington said.

Officers on the ground and from a police helicopter told the man to remain in the vehicle and firefighters, SDG&E workers and water department personnel worked to de-energize the water.

A driver died Saturday after he was trapped in a car after crashing into a fire hydrant and electrical box. Video still: SIDEO TV

Officers realized the driver was trapped in the vehicle and the fire department had to extricate him, Kellington said.

Footage from the scene shows a hydrant shooting water into the air and onto a Lexus sedan. Firefighters cut the top off the car to pull the driver out and placed him in the ambulance. He was transported to a hospital, where he died, police said.

No other information was immediately available.