Three men, attempting to avoid being pulled over Saturday night, rammed into a taxi and died in the fiery crash in San Francisco.
According to the California Highway Patrol, an officer noticed a man driving a white Chevrolet sedan "recklessly" around 9:20 p.m. at the intersection of 5th and Bryant streets.
The officer began to chase the car as it was driven south on 5th Street, CHP officers said.
When the officer stopped behind the Chevolet at a red light, the car's driver bolted. The CHP officer gave chase and tried to make an enforcement stop. The Chevrolet driver, however, kept going and ran another light.
The officer decided to stop following the car for "safety reasons," a news release said. Soon thereafter, though, the officer saw the Chevrolet catch fire after colliding with a Yellow Taxi cab.
Fire crews arrived on the scene, however, three men inside the Chevrolet did not survive the accident, CHP officers said. The taxi driver was transported to San Francisco General Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.
"I want to offer my sincere condolences to the involved families of the three young men who have passed away in this traumatic event," said CHP Commander Christopher Sherry. "This tragedy has deeply affected all of us at the CHP."
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The surrounding streets were shut down temporarily after the crash, the CHP said.
An investigation is ongoing.
