An early-morning crash in San Diego's Mid-City neighborhood has turned into a hit-and-run investigation, and police are asking for the public's help to track down the driver who ran from the scene.
Officers say two vehicles collided near University Avenue and 58th Street today. One driver was taken to a hospital with chest pain, while the other took off on foot, leaving behind a red Honda Civic. Investigators canvassed nearby blocks and worked with witnesses for details as the search continued.
According to CBS 8, the collision happened shortly after 1 AM at the intersection of 58th Street and University Avenue. Police said the red Honda Civic left behind was later impounded as evidence. CBS 8 reported that no arrests had been made as of publication, and that the San Diego Police Department's Traffic Division is handling the investigation.
What the police say
Video and reporting from FOX 5/KUSI indicate the wreck involved a white Honda Civic and a red Honda Civic. The driver of the white car stayed at the scene, complained of chest pain, and was taken to UC San Diego Health for evaluation. Officials described those injuries as not life-threatening. Police told reporters the driver of the red vehicle ran away before officers arrived.
How to help
San Diego County Crime Stoppers is taking anonymous tips in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 888-580-8477 or submit an online tip through the San Diego Crime Stoppers website. Detectives are also urging anyone who may have dash-cam or cellphone video from around the time of the crash to save it and share it with investigators.
Why this matters
Hit-and-run collisions that leave injured people behind remain a recurring public-safety concern in San Diego, and investigators say quick tips and video can be crucial to identifying drivers who flee. Local reporting has highlighted similar investigations in recent years, showing how fast a suspect can disappear from the area and why police move quickly to gather witness information; see coverage by the Times of San Diego for an example of a comparable probe. Rapid public tips often make the difference in locating a vehicle or suspect.
Legal note
Under California law, leaving the scene of a collision that causes injury can be prosecuted under Vehicle Code section 20001, and in particularly serious cases, the law allows for a "Yellow Alert" to broadcast suspect and vehicle information statewide. See recent legislative summaries for details: LegiScan.
