LA MESA, Calif. -- A taxi driver and his passenger narrowly escaped death Friday when a 25-ton steel pipe rolled off a flatbed big rig traveling on an East County freeway overpass above them, plunged over the edge of the ramp and landed partially atop the cab, authorities said.

The accident occurred shortly before 9 a.m., when the truck hauling the 50-foot-long, roughly 8-foot-diameter metal cylinder veered out of control on the connector from southbound State Route 125 to eastbound Interstate 8 in La Mesa and struck a barrier wall, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The impact caused the massive tube to break free from its bindings and roll over the edge of the bridge, the CHP reported.

When the pipe slammed onto La Mesa Boulevard about 75 feet below the span, it tore a large crater in the pavement and crushed the passenger side of the taxi, which was occupied by a 47-year-old cab driver and his 73-year-old passenger, CHP public affairs Officer Brian Pennings said.

The men were taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries. 10News learned the driver was released from the hospital late Friday afternoon.

The pipe was being transported to the San Vicente area to be used as a water conduit as part of a dam project, according to broadcast news accounts.

The driver of the truck may have lost control of his rig due to excessive speed, the CHP reported.

Due to the road damage, an onramp from northbound La Mesa Boulevard to eastbound I-8 will remained closed until sometime next week, according to the Highway Patrol.

Photo: Che'Boi'A Esclovon