Berkeley police: Driver arrested after striking 3 people
The suspect attempted to flee after abandoning his car near Emerson Elementary and trying to carjack someone, according to police.
An investigation is underway in Berkeley after a driver struck three people Tuesday morning, sending them to the hospital, authorities say.
At least one of the victims was a woman who had to undergo surgery. All three victims were adults, police said.
Berkeley police began getting calls at about 7:45 a.m. after a motorist drove onto the sidewalk and struck two people in the 2700 block of Belrose Avenue, authorities said.
The incident happened near Derby Street, about a block from Emerson Elementary School in the Elmwood neighborhood. Multiple people called 911 to report the crime.
Police said the suspect attempted to flee the area on Derby Street as police responded, abandoning his car in the 2800 block of Garber Street, near the school, and trying to carjack someone.
Berkeley police officers found him in the 2800 block of College Avenue and arrested him.
A community member who heard the arrest said police were searching the area on foot for about 30 minutes: "A helicopter has been circling overhead basically nonstop since," they said about 9:15 a.m.
During the investigation, authorities located a third victim on Derby Street and took the individual to the hospital for medical treatment.
A driver in a BMW struck three people Tuesday morning, sending them to the hospital, Berkeley police said. Ariel Nava Photo
Police said they now have five crime scenes under investigation and that no other details about the arrest or injured parties were immediately available.
"We understand the fear and concern this incident has caused, especially during the busy morning commute near schools and residential neighborhoods," Berkeley police said in a prepared statement. "Thanks to the rapid response by officers, the suspect is now in custody, and there is no ongoing threat to the community."
Berkeley police are asking community members to avoid the area and share any related information, including video footage, about what happened.
"This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Officers are still in the field interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence," authorities said.
This story will be updated as more details are released.
