UCLA

Prius Plummets Off Cliff During Pursuit Near Beach

Patrol units chased the car south to the ocean's edge where the driver plowed through a gate, lost control and went over a cliff.

A man who attempted to evade police during a traffic stop was injured when he drove off a 300-foot cliff in San Pedro Monday night, authorities said.

The driver drove to the scene of a crash in Wilmington at about 11 p.m. near the intersection of Alameda Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway, officers from the Port of Los Angeles Police Department said. When he was ordered to stop, he kept driving and allegedly attempted to run over officials at the crash scene, they added.

Patrol units chased the car south to the ocean's edge where the driver plowed through a gate, lost control and went over a cliff.

Witness Manuel Castro said he was "down chillin" with people when they saw "a car come off the cliff." 

"We peeked our heads and it was just a gray Prius and we saw the wreckage and the cops over here," he said. 

The fire department was dispatched to rescue the man, who was taken to Harbor UCLA Medical Center with broken bones and bruises.

His condition was unknown; however, officers said after his release he would be likely charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

An officer also injured his ankle during the incident. That officer was treated at Harbor UCLA Medical Center and later released.

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