Two Die in Fiery, 100 MPH California Crash

Nov. 06--Two people were killed Wednesday morning when they were ejected from a speeding BMW after it crashed into a light pole in Riverside at 100 mph, police said.

The BMW was going "at least" 100 mph about 2:20 a.m. when it ran a red light and smashed into a light pole, burst into flames and careened into a palm tree, setting the tree on fire, said Lt. Russ Schubert.

The car was speeding eastbound on Colorado Avenue when it passed two Riverside police officers in a cruiser going the opposite direction, Schubert said. When the police cruiser turned around, the driver of the BMW turned off the headlights and turned south onto Jackson Street.

When the cruiser turned onto Jackson Street, the BMW was about half a mile ahead, Schubert said. Officers reported watching the BMW run the red light at California Avenue before seeing an explosion. The officers pulled up to the crash site where there were "no signs of life," Schubert said.

The crash spread debris for half a block down Jackson Street, NBC4 reported. The driver and its only passenger were thrown from the vehicle and died, Schubert said.

The area around the crash was expected to be closed for several hours Wednesday morning as police investigated the crash.

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