An early-morning police chase that started in Coronado ended with a dramatic drop in Hillcrest, when an SUV crashed through a fence at the dead end of Brookes Avenue and plunged into the canyon below. Neighbors said the impact jolted them awake, and that tow trucks kept working the scene into the morning. Initial reports indicated no other injuries, and authorities stayed on-site to clear the area and secure what they could of the hillside street.
How the Chase Unfolded
According to FOX 5 San Diego, the pursuit began around 2:30 a.m. when Coronado police followed an SUV into San Diego. The vehicle continued up into Hillcrest, then reportedly smashed through a fence at the dead end of Brookes Avenue and went down into the thick vegetation below, bringing the chase to a sudden and very steep stop.
Official Logs Show Response Near Brookes Avenue
San Diego Police Department dispatch logs list an "ALL UNITS INFORMATION" entry at about 2:28 a.m. that references the 300 block of West Brookes Avenue in Hillcrest, lining up with the early-morning timeline. The city’s online feed shows units from the Western Division assigned to the call as emergency crews converged on the dead end. San Diego Police dispatch includes the incident in its public log.
Neighbors Warn the Dead-End Is Risky
Residents on Brookes Avenue told reporters that the street’s abrupt drop has led to wrecks before, and that several other vehicles have punched through the same fence and gone into the canyon, according to FOX 5 San Diego. One neighbor put it bluntly: “People just come speeding down that hill and they don’t know that this is a drop-off.” Others said they woke to the crash, then later heard tow trucks working below as crews tried to pull the SUV back up from the ravine.
Why the Geography Matters
Brookes Avenue rides the rim of one of Hillcrest’s narrow finger canyons that feed into Balboa Park, and it simply stops where the pavement gives way to a steep, brushy slope. Local maps and guides highlight multiple canyon entrances and sharp drop-offs in the neighborhood, which help explain how a misjudged turn or too much speed at the dead end can send a vehicle over the edge. SoCal Region documents the terrain and trail network in the area.
What Officials Say and Next Steps
City crews and police worked into the morning to recover the SUV and shore up the damaged fence at the dead end. Officials had not immediately released further information about the driver’s condition or whether any charges might follow. This article will be updated as agencies provide additional details.
