A man trying to elude police officers chasing him south from Wilmington crashed through a gate in San Pedro and drove his Toyota Prius off a cliifftop, police said Tuesday.

The man survived, but did not get away.

The pursuit, which reached speeds of 80 mph in downtown San Pedro, occurred after the man aimed his vehicle at Los Angeles Port police officers in Wilmington about 11 p.m. Monday, Port of Los Angeles spokesman Phillip Sanfield said.

The officers were working with Los Angeles Police Department officers at a traffic crash scene near Pacific Coast Highway and Alameda Street. The man argued with the officers when they tried to prevent him from driving through the intersection and aimed his car at them, Sanfield said.

The officers jumped out of the way and then pursued the Prius in a patrol car through San Pedro on Gaffey Street, Sanfield said.

Sanfield said the vehicle sped through the point where Gaffey Street ends at Shepard Street, through a locked gate and over a nearby cliff. Firefighters at the scene estimated the vehicle landed 250 to 300 feet down the side of the cliff, Sanfield said.

Port police scaled down the cliff to pull the driver out of the car, providing first aid at the scene, Sanfield said. Firefighters assisted.

The driver was conscious and walked with the police and firefighters to the top of the cliff. He was placed on a gurney and taken to a hospital, where he was treated for broken bones, Sanfield said.

“It’s amazing the guy survived,” Sanfield said.

The suspect, whose name was not disclosed, remained hospitalized throughout the day Tuesday but was expected to be booked into jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer following his release.

A Port police officer suffered a minor ankle injury dodging the vehicle, Sanfield said.

City News Service contributed to this report.