This van narrowly missed going into Clear Lake near Lucerne, Calif., after its tire blew as it was being driven along Highway 20. Photo by Gary McAuley.

The crash occurred on Highway 20 just east of Lucerne shortly after 5 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

The driver was heading eastbound when the right front tire on the white van blew, according to reports from the scene.

When the van left the pavement and hit the shoulder, the soft earth pulled it from the roadway and onto the rocks on the shoreline, about 8 feet below.

The CHP, Lake County Sheriff's Office and Northshore Fire Protection District responded to the scene.

At the scene the driver and lone passenger denied injury and remained on scene viewing the recovery of the vehicle by the tow company.

The crash caused the roadway to be shut down for a brief time.

Gary McAuley contributed to this report.

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