Reckless driver forces car off highway and into Fresno canal

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Police say the victims of a hit-and-run crash in central Fresno are lucky to be alive after being driven off the roadway.

The incident happened around 4 p.m. near the Highway 99 and 180 connector ramp. The California Highway Patrol says a black pickup swerved in front of two other cars, forcing them to lose control.

One of the cars hit the guardrail, while another flipped over the rail, went down an embankment and landed upside down in a canal. The driver, who suffered a broken arm, and his passenger managed to get themselves out of the canal.

No one in the other car was injured.

Investigators say even though the black truck didn't actually hit the two cars, the driver is still facing hit-and-run charges for causing them to crash.