17-year-old driver hospitalized after car hits light pole, breaks in half in Chula Vista

A teenage driver remains hospitalized in serious condition after his vehicle struck a light pole, broke in half and slid upside down across three lanes of a state highway Saturday, police said.Speed and alcohol are believed to be a factor in the crash, which began on the eastbound lanes of San Miguel Ranch Road and ended on state Route 125, according to Chula Vista police.Just after 1 a.m., the 17-year-old driver's Honda S2000 struck a light pole and split in two, police said.
The front of the car, with the driver inside, ended up on the southbound lanes of SR-125 upside down. The rear portion remained on San Miguel Ranch Road near the light pole.
"Everything behind the driver's seat is up here," said Chula Vista police Lt. Mark Jones during a phone interview from the scene of the accident. "Everything in front of the driver's seat went down the hill, upside down."
The driver, who was initially conscious at the scene, was later transported to a trauma center with head injuries. He remains in serious condition.No other vehicles were involved, Jones said, but one southbound lane of the highway was closed for 30 minutes. The crash remains under investigation.