Small plane hits SUV before crashing on interstate near San Diego

EL CAJON, Calif. — A small plane crashed onto a major freeway near San Diego on Thursday, striking an SUV before landing on a city street, authorities said.

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At least one person was seriously injured when the small silver plane crashed into a railing on Interstate 8, KNSD-TV reported. According to Flightaware, an online flight tracking service, the plane was a fixed-wing, single-engine 1951 Cessna 195.

According to a report from the California Highway Patrol, the plane went down at about 10:35 a.m. PDT, KSWB-TV reported. The aircraft came to rest near I-8 and Greenfield Drive in El Cajon, landing next to a freeway overpass, according to the television station.

Before stopping, the aircraft “skipped off the hood” of a vehicle headed east on the street below the overpass, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The impact caused moderate damage to the vehicle, according to the newspaper.

Carrie Zub said she was driving her white Hyundai when the plane hit her vehicle, KSND reported.

“I was like, ‘Oh, my God,’ and I pulled to the right and stopped,” Zub told the television station. “I’m just so grateful I’m OK.”

The pilot was identified as a 65-year-old man from San Diego, according to the Union-Tribune. He was taken to an area hospital and was being treated for major injuries, CHP Office Travis Garrow told reporters. He is expected to survive, Garrow said.

There were no other occupants on the plane, Heartland Fire & Rescue spokesperson Andy McKellar said.

Alcohol and drugs are not considered factors in the crash at this time, Garrow told reporters.

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