Tow Truck Driver Hit While Responding to Crash

A tow truck driver was seriously injured responding to an accident early Sunday morning in Encinitas.

Officers took one man into custody and are searching for another suspect.

A black Mustang collided with another car around 2 a.m. on northbound Interstate 5, just north of Santa Fe Drive, according to the California Highway Patrol.

No one was injured in the crash, but CHP says the Mustang driver ran away and is still on the loose.

โ€œA lot of times people who drive will run away from the scene because they don't wish to be arrested for driving under the influence. We don't know for sure, but thatโ€™s a possibility,โ€ said CHP Sgt. Brad Denham.

A tow truck from RoadOne Towing responded when a second accident happened.

โ€œA separate vehicle being driven by a male subsequently collided into the tow driver as he was attempting to get the vehicle up on the back of the tow truck,โ€ Denham said.

CHP says the tow truck driver was thrown from the shoulder onto the freeway. Paramedics rushed him to Scripps La Jolla with serious injuries, possibly several broken bones.

The man who hit the tow truck driver was taken away in handcuffs. He will be charged with felony DUI causing injury.

Denham says CHP is out in full force this holiday season, so it could have easily been one of their officers injured.

โ€œUnfortunately, we were unable to catch this DUI driver prior to this collision,โ€ he said.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

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