Car Crashes Into Oceanside Home, Forcing Evacuations [UPDATED]

OCEANSIDE, CA: A car driven by a suspected drunken driver crashed into a duplex Sunday night in Oceanside, rupturing a gas line and forcing a several-hour evacuation of several nearby residences, city fire and police officials said.

The crash occurred about 7 p.m. in the 3600 block of Vista Campana in the Vista Oceana senior living community, according to Oceanside police Spokesman Ryan Keim and Oceanside fire Battalion Chief Pete Lawrence.

An 85-year-old man was driving a Toyota sedan westbound when he lost control of the vehicle and struck the exterior wall of the residence, Keim said.

"The driver was uninjured but he was transported to Tri-City Medical Center by paramedics out of an abundance of caution," Keim said.

Although there were people inside the home at the time of the crash, Keim said they were not injured.

The crash caused major damage to the home, however, including a ruptured gas line — forcing evacuation of several nearby residents.

"It was quickly determined that there was so much damage to the gas line that it would be impossible to stop the flow at the meter," Lawrence said. "Additionally, due to the still evening air, the amount of natural gas detected by firefighters around the complex with their gas monitors forced the additional evacuation of all 30 units in the immediate vicinity."

Police officers went door to door, notifying the residents to leave while firefighters assisted with removing any elderly residents who had trouble moving or required special care, according to Lawrence. Evacuees were temporarily housed in a shelter setup in a community room of a nearby church, he said.

San Diego Gas & Electric crews who responded to the scene dug a hole and pinched the line in order to stop the flow of gas.

"Although 15 units in the complex were expected to potentially be without gas service overnight, SDG&E was able to bring in enough service technicians and large storage bottles in order to restore gas to all but two units (Sunday) evening," Lawrence said.

By 11 p.m., firefighters completed removing gas from inside the impacted building and at 11:10 p.m., a tow truck crew removed the vehicle from the building.

"All but two occupants were able to reoccupy their homes (Sunday) evening," Lawrence said. "The Red Cross responded to assist the affected husband and wife find shelter for the evening."

Oceanside Police Department traffic investigators determined alcohol was a factor in the collision and the driver was issued a citation for driving under the influence, according to Keim.

"He was not booked into jail as a result of his medical condition," Keim said.

Another elderly male patient was evaluated at the scene, but declined transport once he was moved to fresh air, officials said.

(Images courtesy of the Oceanside Fire Department)

***This post was updated at 10:48 a.m. Pacific Time, May 23, 2016; Originally posted at 10:14 p.m. Pacific Time, May 22, 2016.***