Pig vs. Prius: And the winner is?

The time: the wee hours, Saturday.

The place: Pike Place Market.

The matchup: pig-versus-Prius.

The pig weighed in at about 550 pounds. The Prius a whole lot more.

And the winner? The pig, by a squeal.

According to James Haydu, a spokesman for the market, the battle was over in seconds.

The way the police told Haydu the story, a taxicab was waiting for the light to change at the corner of First Avenue and Pike Street when it was rear-ended by another vehicle. The force sent the taxi careening.

"The driver of the cab panicked and, for whatever reason, turned left into Pike Place Market," Haydu said. The taxi, a Prius, hit the pig.

The Prius was pretty beat up. The pig, known as Rachel, survived. She was down but not out.

The force pulled Rachel's feet from the concrete that held her.

After the accident, two construction workers came by, hoisted her onto a dolly, and wheeled her into storage.

"She'll be up and running once we can pour new cement," Haydu said. Well, maybe not running, exactly, but you get the drift. She'll be back in her spot as the Market mascot soon.

And the cabbie? According to Haydu, he was taken to the hospital, treated and released.

Maureen O'Hagan: 206-464-2562 or mohagan@seattletimes.com