Crime & Safety

Dramatic Car Chase In East Bay Sends Truck Crashing Into Apartments: Police

Police say the chase started after a driver pointed a gun at another driver.

The scene of a crash in El Cerrito on Sunday morning.
The scene of a crash in El Cerrito on Sunday morning. (El Cerrito Police Department)

EL CERRITO, CA — Police say the search continues for a driver suspected of sending a truck into an apartment complex during a chase early Sunday morning.

The car chase began sometime around 2 a.m. Sunday, when the driver of a silver BMW sedan pointed a gun at the driver of a truck as they were traveling southbound on San Pablo Avenue, according to the El Cerrito Police Department.

The chase continued until the sedan hit the rear of the pickup truck, sending the truck crashing into the entrance of Hana Gardens at 10860 San Pablo Ave., police said.

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The impact caused the truck to overturn, trapping two people inside, police said.

They were taken out of the truck and taken to a local regional trauma hospital, where they're in stable condition, police said.

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Authorities say video surveillance showed how severe the crash was, but investigators need help identifying the sedan's driver.

Automated License Plate Readers helped investigators track the car to Richmond, police said.

The car was impounded, they added, but no arrests have been announced as of Wednesday.

"The investigation is ongoing," police said. "Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the El Cerrito Police Department at 510-215-4400 or investigations@elcerrito.gov."

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