A solo vehicle rollover in the 4700 block of Zion Avenue turned into a tense use-of-force incident early Monday morning after a driver became combative with responding officers and firefighters.
Around 2:40 AM, a white Chevy pickup traveling eastbound on Zion Avenue veered off the road, mounted the curb, and barreled through utility boxes and a newly built wooden fence before rolling onto its side. The driver was trapped inside the cab.
San Diego police were first on scene and attempted to calm the man, who appeared panicked and agitated, kicking the windshield and yelling for help. Despite their efforts, the driver remained disoriented and combative. Firefighters broke the rear window of the vehicle, at which point the man forced his way out, flailing and fighting with officers attempting to assist him.
In the struggle that followed, officers deployed a Taser, which had only a brief effect. One officer was seen delivering several punches to gain compliance as the man continued to resist. His face was pressed into the pavement, causing deep abrasions to his forehead and hairline, which bled heavily.
Police then secured him using a WRAP restraint device before he was loaded onto a gurney and taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
Aside from the driver’s injuries—both from the crash and from being restrained on the ground—no other injuries were reported.
Police confirmed there was no pursuit or prior contact with the vehicle before the crash. The cause remains under investigation, including whether drugs, alcohol, or a medical issue played a role.
The damaged fence—about 20 to 30 feet of fresh wooden panels—had reportedly just been installed by the homeowner. Multiple neighbors came outside after hearing the crash and observed the heavy police and fire response.
