SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - The “road closed” signs were present, and water was flooding the street, but a man decided to take a chance and drive through the flood waters near Fashion Valley mall -- and failed.

At around 6:15 a.m. Friday, authorities said a 27-year-old man ignored warning signs on Fashion Valley Road, near the Riverwalk Golf Club, and attempted to drive his Lexus sedan through fast-rising water from the San Diego River.

However, about halfway into his trek, the Lexus stalled, leaving him stranded as water continued to rush onto and through the roadway.

Emergency crews arrived at the scene and communicated with the driver, who indicated he was OK.

The driver then got out of the car on his own and walked through the rushing water to safety. The driver was not hurt, but he was soaking wet.

Nearly an hour later, a tow truck was able to remove the car from the flooded street.

Emergency crews said the driver was lucky that he made it to safety because there was a chance he could have been swept into a nearby fence and trapped there with rushing water continuing to flow.

The man’s father told 10News that his son is a smart man and makes good choices but did not make the right decision on this day.

According to the driver, other vehicles in front of him were able to make it through, which is why he decided to follow suit.