“Wesley” Swims to SC Shore, Teen Drives off Wharf

A sport utility vehicle drove off the Santa Cruz Wharf and plunged into the ocean Monday morning after a teen thought the gas pedal was the brake, officials said, adding that despite the surprise, no one was injured.

There was a 16-year-old boy, his father, and small dog named Wesley inside the Toyota 4-Runner at the time of the accident, sister station KSBW first reported.. Officials said the 16-year-old driver mixed up the break pedal with the gas pedal.

At 10:30 a.m., authorities said the teen stepped on the accelerator, crashed through a fence, went zooming off the wharf and splashed into the ocean below.

The accident happened in front of the Santa Cruz Wharf Lifeguard Headquarters so emergency crews were quick to arrive at the scene.

The driver and his passenger swam out through the SUV's sunroof and side window before swimming to safety. Wesley dog-paddled to shore.

The SUV sank and emergency crews said it would take several hours to tow it out of the ocean. They plan to send divers underwater to hook a tow truck to the SUV.


 

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