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LAKE BALBOA (CNS) - Two people were critically injured when a Los Angeles Police Department cruiser slammed into another car while trailing a suspect in the Lake Balboa area, police said Wednesday.
At about 7:40 p.m. Tuesday, an LAPD Street Racing Task Force unit heard a vehicle with loud exhaust, then saw the vehicle speed southbound on Balboa Boulevard, according to an LAPD statement.
An officer tried to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle had "gained significant distance," according to the statement.
"As the officer was approaching Burbank Boulevard, a Toyota Camry was negotiating a westbound turn onto Burbank Boulevard from northbound Balboa Boulevard," police said. "At which time, the police vehicle crashed into the Camry and then crashed into another vehicle that was stopped on Burbank Boulevard."
Firefighters were sent to the intersection around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday for a collision involving two individuals trapped inside a vehicle needing rescue, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Nicholas Prange said.
"Crews deployed hydraulic rescue tools and extricated two patients," Prange said. "A total of three patients were evaluated/treated on scene."
The two occupants inside the Toyota were taken to a hospital with critical injuries, Prange said. The officer was also taken to a hospital with minor injuries, while the driver of the third vehicle was not injured.
LAPD Traffic Group detectives urged anyone with information regarding the crash to call them at 213-486-0690 or, during non-business hours or on weekends, at 877-527-3247. Anonymous calls can be made to Crime Stoppers at 800- 222-8477 or tips may be sent to lacrimestoppers.org.