TACOMA - A large mobile crane careened down a hill in central Tacoma Friday afternoon after its brakes failed, narrowly missing startled people on the way.

The crane barreled down a hill from 15th Street and smashed into several trees, parked cars and light poles before coming to rest near Pacific Avenue about 1:30 p.m.

Firefighters said the driver jumped from the out-of-control rig and was not seriously injured.

People ran from the scene as they saw the rig coming. The crane continued down the hill until it became wedged up on a jersey barrier.

"It was like the world was ending," said one witness, Nicolette Ortiz. "It was crazy."

Said another witness, Samuel Olson, "I seen that pole come down like a twig."

Police blocked the intersection for the investigation and to clean up a set of downed stop-light structures.