San Diego Crash Kills Man, Shuts Down Trolley

SAN DIEGO — A 23-year-old man was killed early Monday morning when he lost control of his compact car, which jumped a curb near an Encanto intersection at high speed and struck several poles, including a trolley power line, shutting down the MTS Orange Line in both directions.

The crash was reported shortly before 2:25 a.m. near the intersection of Woodman Street and Imperial Avenue, San Diego police Sgt. Robert Hawkins said.

The driver lost control of the 2013 Hyundai Sonata while speeding northbound on Woodman Street, according to Hawkins, who said the car continued through the intersection, struck a curb and an electrical pole, then crossed over trolley tracks and slammed into another pole.

The impact sent the car's engine flying, and it ended up embedded in the driver's side of an unoccupied vehicle parked on Akins Avenue, the sergeant said.

Firefighters cut the roof off the Hyundai to get to the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene, Hawkins said. The driver's name was withheld pending family notification.

The crash shut down the MTS Orange Line in both directions between Massachusetts and Euclid avenues during the morning commute. Normal service resumed by 10 a.m.

Imperial Avenue from 65th to 68th streets was closed to traffic until about 8:30 a.m., Hawkins said.

– City News Service