Car Crash By Armed Suspects Closes Lewelling

San Leandro police closed a section of Lewelling Boulevard for about 20 minutes Saturday night while they investigated a car crash that occurred after a man and woman tried to avoid a traffic stop, fled by car, crashed and then tried to run off on foot, allegedly tossing away a loaded gun in the process.

The incident began about 10:25 pm. Police closed Lewelling from I-880 to Washington Avenue while they investigated the incident and arrested the pair.

According to a Bay City News report, it all began when an officer attempted to stop a car for a traffic violation in the parking lot of the Nimitz Motel at 555 Lewelling Blvd, according to police.

But instead of stopping, the driver of the vehicle accelerated, speeding around the officer's patrol car and exiting the parking lot.

Police said the suspect drove recklessly into traffic on Lewelling Boulevard and crashed into another car, police said.

The driver of the other car involved in the suspects' crash was uninjured, police said.

Police said that as the officer approached the scene of the crash, the driver, a man in his late 20s, and passenger, a woman in her late 20s, both exited the vehicle and started running.

The officer gave chase on foot and apprehended the driver while additional officers apprehended the passenger, who threw a semiautomatic handgun over a nearby fence as she ran, according to police.

Police recovered the gun and found that it was loaded.

Both suspects were arrested on suspicion of possessing a loaded firearm. Police said they are not releasing the suspects name pending further investigation.

"This is an active investigation," Lt. Jeff Tudor said in a statement. "It is
fortunate that no one was seriously injured during this incident."

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