In what could have only been a terrifying experience for the 50-year-old San Jose man, his truck was found submerged in the Pacific Ocean after driving off East Cliff Drive at 33rd avenue in Santa Cruz on Sunday morning according to KSBW. Following the incident, the driver sustained serious injuries and was later arrested for DUI as police arrived at the scene.

The California Highway Patrol responded to the incident after the truck's discovery on Sunday morning, and the driver was promptly extracted by first responders to receive treatment for his major injuries, related to the crash and subsequent submersion in the water. The rescue operation concluded around 10 a.m. when the truck was finally lifted out of the water, revealing a potentially more alarming issue: evidence of oil and gas leaking into the Pacific Ocean.

(CHP Santa Cruz)

Supervisor Manu Koenig, who oversees the area, was at the scene to investigate the accident and its aftermath. He confirmed that there indeed seemed to be oil and/or gas in the water, a discovery that prompted the immediate deployment of a HAZMAT team to evaluate the situation and assess the level of pollution caused by the incident. Although there have been no updates as to the environmental impact or potential damage to local marine life yet, the rapid response to the accident may play a vital role in minimizing any lasting effects.