#Jeep Plunges Off the Top of Parking Structure at Colorado and 2nd Street in Downtown Santa Monica

The Santa Monica police say that a young man in a Jeep SUV, possibly high or drunk, drove his SUV off the top of the parking structure at 2nd Street and Colorado in Downtown Santa Monica. The unidentified 20-year-old may have been a marine from 29 Palms.

The Fire Dept account of the incident, which is at bottom, differs from the SMPD story. "Three people were in the vehicle however, two were able to jump out prior to the vehicle driving off the top of the structure" says the Fire Dept., adding that the driver was transferred to a local hospital in "critical condition."

The SMPD Press release from Lt. Joseph Cortez, PIO, reads as follows:

On Sunday, February 23, 2020, at approximately 1210 am, the Santa Monica Police Department responded to the area of 2nd Street and Colorado Boulevard regarding a report of a vehicle over the side of a parking structure. Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle against the building located at the north/west corner of 2nd Street and Colorado Boulevard. The lone individual inside the vehicle was the driver, who is a 20-year-old Male from Twentynine Palms, California. The driver was conscious and speaking with officers when they arrived.

As a part this ongoing investigation, the Santa Monica Police Department learned that the driver experienced non-visible health issues while under the care of the Santa Monica Fire Department. The SMFD transported the driver to the UCLA Westwood hospital in critical condition. The driver is recovering in stable condition at the hospital.

Additionally, the police department is continuing to investigate this incident. Officers have obtained a warrant for the driver’s blood to determine if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the incident. The officers have found there were two additional individuals with the driver prior to the incident; however, it does not appear that they were in the vehicle when it was traveling towards to side of the structure.

The Fire Dept. press release on the same incident reads:

On Sunday February 23, 2020, at 12:18 a.m., the Santa Monica Fire Department responded to a traffic collision with a physical rescue. The Santa Monica Police Department reported a vehicle into a building at 1540 2nd St.,(McDonalds). Information was received that the vehicle had driven off the top of parking structure 7, located across the street from McDonalds. Three people were in the vehicle however, two were able to jump out prior to the vehicle driving off the top of the structure.

Firefighters worked quickly to stabilize the vehicle and extricate one patient. Firefighter Paramedics treated and transported the driver to a local trauma center in critical condition.

A total of 15 firefighters responded to the scene.

Significant damage was sustained to the top of the parking structure, as well as the building. A representative from the Building and Safety Department was requested to the scene to assess the structural integrity of the parking structure. SMPD is conducting an investigation and assisted with traffic control. Attached are photos from the incident. SMFD PIO Eric Himler, Captain.