The driver of a Recreational Vehicle (RV) sustained major injuries after crashing into a semi-trailer on Saturday night near Chula Vista High School.
The incident occurred at around 10:42 p.m. on the 400 block of L St, according to Chula Vista Fire Department Battalion Chief Brendan Barahura. A video from OnScene TV shows the RV lodged under the 53-foot trailer, which was sent up onto the sidewalk due to the impact of the collision.
Witnesses told OnScene T.V. that the driver of the RV was traveling eastbound on L Street at a high rate of speed. He then crossed into westbound traffic lanes, where he struck a parked SUV and a parked sedan before lodging under the semi-truck.
A couple believed to be homeless in the parked SUV was able to escape the collision with their dog.
The video from OnScene T.V. showed officers taking care of a French Bulldog and another dog trapped inside the mangled RV. The dogs were extracted and taken into custody by Animal Control for further care.
According to Barahura, fire crews had to cut the sides off the RV to reach the male driver, who was trapped underneath the RV dashboard and the trailer.
“It was a very difficult rescue,” Barahura told OnScene T.V. “Fire Fighters had to stabilize the trailer itself as well as the RV in order to make access for the victim.”
Extraction efforts took about 40 minutes to complete, according to Barahura. Paramedics took the driver to a local hospital with major injuries.
The status of the man’s injuries remains unknown.
The incident is under investigation, and it remains unknwon whether drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision.
