Speeding BMW evades CHP, crashes into hydrant near San Pablo

SAN PABLO, Calif. - A 24-year-old driver from Oakland suffered major injuries early Thursday after the California Highway Patrol said he wouldn't stop for officers for driving without a front license plate and he ended up striking several cars and a fire hydrant, sending water spewing all over the streets and sidewalk near San Pablo.

Nelsy Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for the East Bay Municipal Utility District, told KTVU that crews shut off the water flow about 5:30 a.m.

At about 4:15 a.m., the CHP spotted a gray or silver BMW on I-80 eastbound that was driving without a front license plate. The SUV got off the freeway at Potrero Avenue, blowing a red light, according to the CHP log.

A short time later, officers found the SUV near Kirk Lane and San Pablo Avenue. It had overturned and slammed into a hydrant, causing it to spew all over the street and sidewalk. At least one other vehicle was involved, the CHP said. The driver from the suspect vehicle suffered “major injuries,” the CHP said and was taken to the hospital.