Eccentric local known as “the Hoarder” dies from injuries in car crash at Sea World

A local eccentric elderly man, known for hoarding things in his car, died last night from injuries sustained during a midnight accident in front of Sea World.

The 70-something gentleman – known to some other locals as “the Hoarder” – was hit by a youthful driver when the younger guy missed a turn and started backing up and hit the other, older, white car head-long which was driven by the Hoarder. Some believe the Hoarder lived in Point Loma, while others have seen his easily-recognized vehicle around OB.

The Fire-Rescue had trouble getting to the elderly victim as his car “was packed with newspapers and other items,” according to news reports.

San Diego Battalion Chief Steve Ricci told Channel 10 News :

“Seemed like he was a little bit of a pack rat, had all kinds of objects and trash and that kind of stuff… So that had to be cleared out of the vehicle before we actually could do the extraction to get him out and get him onto a backboard safely.”

The elderly man was rushed to Scripps Mercy Hospital where he died from the injuries.

The youthful driver of the other car was reported to be 15 and had five passengers in the SUV he was driving. Police said that there was alcohol found in the SUV but the driver is not believed to have been under the influence. One of his passengers was also rushed to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A reporter from SignOnSanDiego stated that the 15 year old was driving his parents SUV without their permission, and filed this:

The teenager was heading west on Sea World Drive in the family 1998 Toyota sedan and missed his exit to Ingraham Street, police traffic unit Lt. Rick O’Hanlon said.

O’Hanlon said the youth threw the car in reverse and started backing. He collided with another westbound car, a 1979 Mercury sedan driven by the older man, who lived in Ocean Beach.

The teen reportedly ran away and hid in some bushes nearby, but police found him. His parents were contacted to come to the crash scene, O’Hanlon said.

Police have not released the names of anyone involved. Community Relations Officer David Surwilo confirmed to us that he had heard of “the Hoarder.” Some also knew him as “the duct tape guy” as apparently he used tape to keep things together.

Tip o’hat to Ed Baier and Claudia Jack.