Crime & Safety
DUI Driver Arrested In La Mesa Crash That Hurt Pedestrian: Police
The man is suspected of driving under the influence when he hit and seriously injured a pedestrian at a La Mesa intersection, police said.
LA MESA, CA — A 41-year-old man was behind bars Wednesday on suspicion of driving under the influence when he struck and seriously injured a pedestrian at a La Mesa intersection, police said.
The collision happened around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Grossmont Center Drive and Center Drive, La Mesa Police Lt. Brian Stoney said.
A man was attempting to cross eastbound on Grossmont Center Drive within a marked crosswalk, but he did not have the right-of-way when he started crossing against a "do not walk" signal, Stoney said.
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At the same time, a man driving a 2004 Nissan SUV was heading eastbound on Center Drive and ran a red light when he turned right onto Grossmont Center Drive and struck the pedestrian, the lieutenant said.
The victim – believed to be in his 50s – was taken to a hospital for treatment of serious injuries, including a fractured lower right leg and a fractured hip, Stoney said, adding that the man did not have identification on him and officers were unable to identify him Tuesday night.
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Investigators arrested the SUV driver, 41-year-old Brandon Michael West of Poway, on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs causing serious bodily injury.
West is on probation for a previous DUI and has prior drug and alcohol- related arrests, Stoney said.
He was booked into San Diego Central Jail and was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Friday afternoon.
– City News Service
