OAKLAND — Two people were critically injured Saturday night after their car careened into a light pole near Oakland’s Lake Merritt.
Police responded just before midnight to reports of the crash in the 600 block of Grand Avenue, at the intersection of El Embarcadero, authorities said.
Firefighters and medical personnel were able to remove both the driver and a passenger, who were suffering from serious injuries, and transport them to Highland Hospital, where they were in critical condition.
Witnesses told police the car was driving north toward Interstate 580 on Grand Avenue when it crashed into the light pole. Speed appears to be a factor in the collision, police said, but investigators have not yet determined if drugs or alcohol were also involved.
Officers are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. Anyone with information is asked to call Oakland Police’s traffic investigation unit at (510) 777-8570.