Fiery I-580 Wreck Sends 5 To Hospital

LIVERMORE, CA — Five people, including two California Highway Patrol officers, were hospitalized following a fiery car crash on westbound Interstate 580 in Livermore early Saturday morning. The collision was reported on the highway between First Street and North Livermore Avenue just before 1:30 a.m.

Responding Livermore-Pleasanton fire crews found one of the four cars involved in the wreck fully engulfed in flames, prompting all lanes of Interstate 580 to shut down and a SigAlert issued.

"Another vehicle that was in close proximity to the vehicle on fire had the driver trapped inside with critical injuries," Battalion Chief Jack Neiman-Kimel told Patch. "CHP had arrived on scene first and began removing the critical patient from the vehicle due to the proximity of fire. In doing so, two CHP officers sustained smoke inhalation and were taken to the hospital for further evaluation."

Three people were taken to nearby trauma centers, Neiman-Kimel said. The officers suffered from smoke inhalation during the rescue.

"It is important to remember to not move any patient from a vehicle accident unless it is absolutely necessary," Neiman-Kimel said. "Also, be sure to always pay attention while driving a motor vehicle. Distracted driving is a leading cause of traffic accidents."

The cause of collision is under investigation. No other information was immedaitely available.

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--Photos courtesy LP Fire BC