A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and felony hit-and-run after police say his car blew through a stop sign in Clairemont and slammed into another vehicle, leaving a 61-year-old woman with significant internal injuries. He and an 18-year-old passenger allegedly tried to run from the scene on foot, but nearby witnesses held them there until officers showed up.
The crash happened around 9:20 p.m. on Thursday at the intersection of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and Pocahontas Avenue in the Bay Ho neighborhood, according to Fox 5 San Diego/KUSI News. Police say the 22-year-old was driving a white 2019 Toyota Corolla southbound on Pocahontas Avenue when he failed to stop at a posted stop sign and entered the path of a westbound gray 2016 Honda Civic, causing a broadside collision.
Two Injured, One With Serious Internal Trauma
The Civic was driven by a 54-year-old man who suffered abrasions in the crash, per the same account. His passenger, a 61-year-old woman, sustained significant internal injuries in the impact. The report does not specify additional detail on her condition beyond the reported injuries.
Rather than staying at the scene, the Toyota driver and his 18-year-old passenger allegedly fled on foot immediately after the crash. Witnesses in the area stepped in and detained the pair until authorities arrived, preventing them from getting away before police could take the 22-year-old into custody on suspicion of both DUI and felony hit-and-run.
Suspect's Identity Withheld, Tipline Open
Authorities have not immediately released the suspect's identity. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has additional information to contact police, and Crime Stoppers has listed a tip line at 888-580-8477 for the public to call.
Separate suspected DUI crashes have also been reported in San Diego County. Just weeks earlier, a suspected DUI crash in Barrio Logan left one person dead and two others seriously injured, according to CBS 8. In a separate incident, two San Diego police sergeants suffered minor injuries after a suspected drunken driver crashed through a police barricade, as reported by NBC 7 San Diego.
Other hit-and-run cases are not detailed here. No further updates on the Clairemont case, including whether charges have been formally filed, were available as of Friday.
