No fatalities in Ocean Avenue crash

An unidentified motorist crashed his 2000 Toyota 4Runner into a light pole on Ocean Ave. near the Granada Ave. intersection on Aug. 21. JIMMY YOUNG / THE GUARDSMAN
An unidentified motorist crashed his 2000 Toyota 4Runner into a light pole on Ocean Ave. near the Granada Ave. intersection on Aug. 21. JIMMY YOUNG / THE GUARDSMAN

By Alex Emslie
OPINIONS AND EDITORIALS EDITOR

A 2000 Toyota 4Runner crashed into a light post at the intersection of Granada and Ocean Avenues late in the afternoon Aug. 21. Impact from the head-on wreck sent the decorative lower light post cover into the window of Health Feet Spa.

The vehicle’s driver was taken from the scene in an ambulance as a precautionary measure, according to San Francisco Police Department Officer Chu. The unidentified man was conscious with no visible injuries and did not complain of any pain. No bystanders sustained any injuries.

All witnesses agreed the car was traveling “very fast” when it hit the light post. Signs posted nearby set the speed limit on Ocean Ave. at 10 miles per hour.

“I would guess it was going around 30 to 35 miles per hour,” SFPD Officer Leong said. He thought the vehicle traveling south on Granada was the most likely story. There were no skid marks at the scene.

“I thought it was gun shooting,” said Health Feet Spa customer Lorie Rueda about the sound of the crash.

“I was sitting right here,” Quyiah Le, the salon’s owner said as she pointed to a desk near the shattered front window. “It was very frightening.”

Witnesses gave conflicting accounts of the crash. Rose De Alba, who was sitting in the spa, said she was looking out the window and saw the vehicle traveling east on Ocean Avenue just before it hit the light post.

Paul Lara and Tim Coyne of San Francisco Meats and Delicatessen said the SUV was traveling south on Granada.

“We’re just happy he didn’t come through the glass,” Coyone said. Had the lamp post not been there, the SUV could easily have hit the deli.

Elbia Torrez, of El Jalapeno Taqueria, agreed with Granada’s account. She was outside the restaurant at the time of the accident.

“I ran like crazy when I saw it,” she said. “It almost hit me.”