The vehicle involved in a fatal car crash in San Leandro early Saturday morning after a high speed pursuit was probably fleeing the scene of a burglary, according to police.
A San Leandro police officer spotted the 1990 Buick driving recklessly from the area of Food Maxx at 699 Lewelling Boulevard shortly before 3 a.m., CHP officials said. When the officer tried to pull the Buick over, it sped away at high speeds on to northbound Interstate Highway 880 with police and the California Highway Patrol in pursuit.
The Buick exited at the 98th Avenue exit and drove through a dirt field before it crashed into a concrete center median.
The driver, a 27-year-old Oakland man, a San Leandro man, 29, and a 20-year-old Hayward woman died at the scene, CHP officials said.
Another woman was taken to the Alameda County Medical Center at Highland Hospital with life threatening injuries. After the crash, police determined that the suspects were allegedly involved in a burglary at the Food Maxx store.
Although an alcoholic container was found in the car, it was not immediately known if the driver or passengers were impaired, according to the CHP. "This is a tragic incident," said police Lt. Greg Lemmon.
"It is unfortunate that the driver chose to place the lives of his passengers at risk while making a conscious decision to drive in a reckless manner."
Local
The names of the deceased victims have not yet been released. The California Highway Patrol will be investigating the crash, while the San Leandro Police Department will be conducting an administrative investigation into the incident.
