A car traveling on westbound State Route 54 in National City became submerged in water after veering off the road and landing in the Sweetwater River Channel, California Highway Patrol officials confirmed.
The single-vehicle accident happened just before 8 p.m. at SR-54 near the National City Boulevard exit.
According to CHP officials, the driver of the vehicle lost control for unknown reasons and hit a chain link fence before landing in the water.
The car became submerged, but the driver – believed to be the only occupant inside the vehicle – was able to safely extricate himself, CHP officials said. He was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
The National City Fire Department responded to the scene and requested assistance from San Diego lifeguards to check the car for any potential additional victims. An SDPD helicopter assisted with a flyover in the area as well.
By 8:45 p.m., officials had determined that nobody else was inside the submerged vehicle.
Officials told NBC 7 the driver of the car was in his 20s and possibly racing on the freeway at the time of the crash. A witness said the vehicle was traveling more than 100 mph before losing control.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. Check back for updates.