Griffith Park Hydrant Sheared by Hit-and-Run Driver

Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA: A hydrant was sheared by a hit-and-run driver Thursday afternoon in Griffith Park sending gallons of water skyward and flooding the roadway.

The Los Angeles Fire Department and park rangers responded to the area of the 5200 block of Zoo Drive for reports of a sheared hydrant around 2:46 p.m.

Witnesses in the area at the time, reported a work truck attempting to make a U-turn on the street when it backed into the hydrant. The vehicle then fled the scene.

Witnesses were able to report a partial license plate and vehicle description to authorities.

The gushing geyser from the sheared hydrant shot gallons of water above the tallest nearby trees, then torrentially splashed down on passing vehicles before a park ranger responded and placed cones on the drenched, flooded roadway to block access.

The LAFD was able to shut off the flow of water in approximately fifteen minutes.

Video: Courtesy of Collin Westphal