An Uber driver was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a crash in the Encanto area on Thursday afternoon, officials said.
The single-vehicle crash happened near 60th Street and Imperial Avenue just before 4 p.m., according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
The driver, a 67-year-old man, was going eastbound on Imperial Avenue when he veered to the left, jumped the curve, and struck a power box and bus bench, San Diego police said at the scene. Crews found the car in smoke next to a pole near the trolley tracks.
Police say a woman passenger was able to get out on her own after the crash with minor injuries. The driver was pulled out of the car by first responders and was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to the police department.
“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this crash, and we’re keeping those injured in our thoughts as they recover,” a spokesperson for Uber said in a statement. “We’ve reached out to both the rider and the driver to check on their wellbeing, and we stand ready to support law enforcement in their investigation.”
Both sides of the trolley ceased operations following the crash, SDFD said.
The cause of the crash was under investigation.