Cadillac Hits Vehicles, Ends up on Pier

Updated 9:23 a.m. 11-2-12 to reflect that no pedestrians were hit by the car and that two of the injured were in the cars that were hit.

A Cadillac ended up about midway out on the Manhattan Beach Pier Thursday night after striking vehicles in its path on Manhattan Beach Boulevard, said MBPD Lt. Christian Eichenlaub.

The elderly male driver first rear ended a van near MB Boulevard and Morningside Drive around 6:20 p.m., then hit another vehicle at MB Boulevard and Ocean Avenue before making his way down the hill and onto the pier, said Eichenlaub.

Eichenlaub said it appeared that the man may have been having trouble with his brakes; witnesses reported hearing the driver repeatedly honking the horn.

Five people were injured; four were taken to a hospital with relatively minor injuries, said Eichenlaub. Two of the injured were in the vehicles that were hit. Debris sent flying as the Cadillac sheered off concrete barriers positioned to keep vehicles off the pier also caused injuries, he said. Some who jumped out of the way of the oncoming car were hurt.

Eichenlaub said the concrete barriers did their part in preventing more injuries and damage. The driver was not injured and did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol, he said.