Man Drives Jeep Off Santa Monica Parking Garage

SANTA MONICA, CA — A motorist in a Jeep suffered critical injuries Sunday when he drove the vehicle off the top level of a six-story parking structure in Santa Monica and landed it across the street against the side of a McDonald's.

"Three people were in the vehicle, however two were able to jump out prior to the vehicle driving off the top of the structure," Santa Monica Fire Department Capt. Eric Himler said.

The crash happened just after midnight in the area of Second Street and Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica Police Sgt. Sean Fraser said.

Video from the scene showed the wrecked vehicle landed at a roughly 90- degree angle against a McDonald's at 1540 Second St.

"Firefighters worked quickly to stabilize the vehicle and extricate one patient," said Himler, adding that the driver was rushed to a local trauma center in critical condition.

It was not immediately known if alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash, Fraser said.

Witnesses at the scene said the parking structure was a six-story building.

"Significant damage was sustained at the top of the parking structure, as well as the building," Himler said.

—City News Service