NATIONAL CITY, Calif. -- A car rolled backwards and crashed into a building in National City overnight Sunday while its two occupants were switching seats because the driver may have been too drunk.
The crash occurred at about 12:30 a.m. Monday on a hill in the 100 block of East 30th Street. The passenger told 10News she convinced her friend who was driving to stop at the top of the hill because she appeared too drunk to drive.
Just as they were about to switch seats, the car started to roll backwards down the hill with its doors open. The driver was still inside as the car came over a curb and slammed into a building. Meanwhile, the passenger, who had exited the car, somehow got dragged by the car as it was rolling. The passenger was able to break free before the car hit the building.
The driver’s side door was bent backwards and a building window was broken.
National City police and fire department crews responded and helped extricate the driver, who was taken to a hospital with unknown injuries. The passenger sustained only minor pain. There were no other injuries.
The passenger told 10News the two women had consumed a few alcoholic drinks at work prior to getting in the car.
While being interviewed by 10News, meanwhile, the passenger was wearing a city of Chula Vista employee badge. When 10News contacted the city to confirm her employment status, Chula Vista Deputy City Manager Kelly Bacon said there was no record of her in their system. Bacon said the city is looking into how the woman obtained the badge.
“The city would never condone anyone drinking at work,” Bacon said. “We have policies that prohibit that.”
Police are investigating. It was not clear if charges would be filed.
