A search was underway for the driver of a van that rear-ended a moped in the Clairemont area Thursday morning and ran off after ditching it at a nearby intersection.

A silver 2001 Chrysler van struck the scooter from behind while both were headed east on Balboa Avenue shortly before 4:30 a.m., San Diego Police Officer Frank Cali said. The rider was thrown onto the van and carried a short distance.

The man behind the wheel of the van stopped at the intersection with Mt. Everest Boulevard and fled on foot.

The moped’s 38-year-old rider was taken to a hospital to be treated for a large, but non-life-threatening, head laceration, Cali said.

The crash prompted authorities to temporarily close Balboa Avenue from Genesee to Mt. Culebra avenues. A SigAlert was issued, but has since been lifted, according to the officer.

— City News Service

Chris Jennewein is Editor & Publisher of Times of San Diego.