Driver severely injured, trapped following violent crash in Encino

ENCINO, Calif. (FOX 11) - Los Angeles firefighters had to pry a man out of his car after crashing into a large tree and toppling over a street light Tuesday evening.

The driver was the only occupant of the car at the time of the crash which occurred at about 5:31 p.m. in the 3300 block of N. Sepulveda Boulevard in the Encino area.

L.A. fire crews used hydraulic prying and cutting tools to remove the roof of the white compact car and get the driver out after he became trapped following the violent crash, the L.A. Fire Department said.

The driver suffered severe injuries, according to the fire department, and was taken to a trauma center in critical condition. No other injuries were reported.

LAPD assisted with traffic control. The cause of the crash is under investigation.