SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Dashcam video from a passerby shows the chilling moment a U-Haul cargo van with its hazard lights barrels down a sidewalk in Encinitas Sunday morning.
“All I hear is that someone say look out, and this U-Haul is driving down the sidewalk and it’s coming towards us. We all jumped out of the way,” said witness Tyler Harris.
Surveillance video from outside Shelter has not been released to the media for broadcast purposes, but News 8 was able to view the horrific scene.
“When you see the video itself, you can see in slow motion, they are very lucky,” said Encinitas Fire Battalion Chief Mike Spaulding.
He said the call originally went out as a car versus structure, but when firefighters arrived people were running and screaming.
“It was chaotic, but I believe the Sheriff’s presence in this case helped us do our job,” said Spaulding.
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The San Diego Sheriff’s Department said around 1 a.m., Sunday morning, 28-year-old Christian Davis was kicked out of the bar for being too intoxicated but noticed something wasn’t right.
A spokesperson for The Saloon said Davis was not served by its bartenders and was told to leave and got aggressive.
“They gave him the option we can hold you down till the cops come eventually he came to his senses and left,” said a witness who gave the name Michael.
However, investigators said Davis came back with more than two tons of force and plowed into several people. Surveillance shows bouncers warning and pushing people.
One man is seen trying to run for shelter but he is hit with the van and thrown on the sidewalk with his arm dangling on the door.
First responders said there were many heroic efforts and a tree that helped save lives.
“The first one was security and the bouncers in front of them because they were the first ones to say heads up and start pushing people out of the way,” said Spaulding.
“Then that tree that happened to be there, it stopped the momentum of the van or there would have been quite a few fatalities."
Deputies said a 24-year-old is in stable condition in the intensive care unit. A 25-year-old had surgery and has serious injuries. A 23-year-old was treated for minor injuries at the hospital.
Two others were also treated at the scene or the hospital.
A spokesperson for The Saloon released a statement on behalf of Proprietor Dale Polselli:
Our thoughts go out to the three victims injured in Saturday's incident in front of The Saloon. We are currently cooperating hand in hand with the San Diego Sheriff's Department in their ongoing investigation. Our patrons and employees' safety are always our number one priority and we're thankful for the fast response not only from our local law enforcement and medics but from our employees and customers with medical training who acted as our first responders on the scene. We would also like to thank the community of Encinitas for their outpouring of support."