Officers responded to the 1200 block of South Sanderson at about 12:30 pm today after a vehicle struck a fire hydrant. The 89 year old driver of a black Honda CRV veered off the roadway and ran over the hyrdrant. After hitting the hydrant, the driver stopped for a short period of time as witnesses went to check on him.
The driver, who appeared confused and unsure of what was happening around him, then slowly continued southbound on Sanderson Avenue. Witnesses followed the man as officers were pulling up to the scene. The man's disabled vehicle struggled to continue and finally stopped less than a mile down the road.
Officers worked for several minutes to convince the man, who may have been having a medical emergency, to unlock the doors. Once the door was unlocked, an officer reached in and removed the keys.The man was then transported to Hemet Valley Medical Center and his vehicle was towed away.
EMWD crews responded and began working on the damaged hydrant. The roadway was effected for about one hour while crews worked to get the water turned off and the hydrant capped.