San Diego

Man Crashes Near-Century-Old Classic Car During Test Drive

The passenger in the classic car was a potential buyer being taken on a test drive

Two men were injured Friday when the classic car they were in went off the roadway and into a drainage ditch, ejecting them from the cabin.

The owner of the 1920 Model T roadster, a 49-year-old man, was showing the car to a potential buyer, a 40-year-old man, when he crashed on Chateau Drive near Verley Court, police said.

Police said the owner lost control of the near-100-year-old car for unknown reasons. Drugs, alcohol or any other suspicious activity don't appear to be a factor in the crash, according to SDPD.

The driver suffered potential head trauma. SDPD did not specify the passenger's injuries but said they were less severe. Both were taken to the hospital.

The vintage car was not equipped with seatbelts. SDPD said cars made before 1964 are not required by law to have them.

Karen O'Rourke who lives nearby said drivers often travel to fast on the street.

"Well, everybody drives down here like it's a race car driving thing," she said. "You come down here and you always have to ask what's going on at this intersection."

No other information was available.

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