3 people hospitalized after car collision involving LA police

Two people were hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday night following a three-car crash in Encino involving a Los Angeles Police Department officer.

According to a Los Angeles Fire Department press release, Los Angeles Fire Department crews responded to the intersection of Balboa and Burbank Boulevard shortly before 8 p.m. after the accident was reported.

Two of the accident victims had to be freed from one of the vehicles by rescue workers using hydraulic equipment. Both were then taken to hospital.

The police officer involved in the accident was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries, the LAPD confirmed to KTLA.

Aerial footage from Sky5 showed a heavy fire and police presence at the scene.

One of the vehicles involved was wedged between a light pole and a wall on the sidewalk. The vehicle was badly damaged. An LAPD patrol car was seen nearby, its rear on the sidewalk and its badly damaged front on the crosswalk.

There was also a third vehicle at the corner of the intersection with minor damage to the front driver’s side.

Few details are available and it is unclear what exactly led to the accident or whether authorities launched a chase with a suspect at the time.

No further information was provided.