Three cars that crossed the bridge going northbound were trapped behind a barrier that came down and kept them from driving off the bridge.

As the bridge deck was raised, it began crushing the third car.

"I'm totally paralyzed by what I believe to be a nightmare happening in front of my face," said Robert Gaston, who was driving the third car. "That puts me in a state of panic. I start honking on the horn because I know what's going to happen next."

Gaston said his wife screamed to the people in front to move forward.

When the first trapped driver realized what was happening, he drove through the barrier. The second driver and Gaston followed.

The back of Gaston's car was damaged. The damage estimate was about $6,000, he said.

SDOT officials said it appeared the bridge tender was released from duty for the rest of the night but later returned to the job.

They said on Monday that the bridge tender apparently did not follow procedure and will likely face discipline.