Coast Guard rescues driver who jumped from Bay Bridge while fleeing police

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The United States Coast Guard responded after a man fell from the east side of the Bay Bridge Friday afternoon, apparently to evade police, according to the California Highway Patrol. The Coast Guard received a 911 call at 2:17 p.m. about a two-vehicle crash in which a Kia Soul rolled over.

The crash left debris all over the roadway. The driver, a white male in his 20s and 30s, was the only occupant of the Kia. According to the CHP, he exited the vehicle and ran eastbound on the median. The Oakland Fire Department responded to the incident, which occurred east of Treasure Island.

According to the CHP, the man climbed onto the railing and appeared to be looking down over the railing to figure out how to get off the bridge. The man then dove into the water and was seen swimming away on his back toward the west side of the bridge.

The CHP called the United States Coast Guard, which responded to the incident. The man was successfully rescued from the water. The other driver involved in the accident was uninjured.

The Coast Guard has arrested him and is examining his injuries.

The three left eastbound lanes on the bridge were temporarily closed but have since reopened. Eastbound traffic is slow as a result of the incident, and additional traffic delays may occur downtown, according to the San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority.