GLENDALE, AZ — Glendale police are investigating a crash that left multiple people hurt near 51st and Peoria avenues early Tuesday morning.
Around 2:30 a.m., two vehicles were reportedly racing westbound on Peoria Avenue when they ran a red light. One of those vehicles hit a car that was headed southbound through the intersection, causing the victim vehicle to roll several times.
Police say the suspect vehicle burst into flames and the occupants of the car fled but were later found at a hospital. Police say the driver of the suspect car suffered serious injuries.
The driver of the victim's vehicle suffered minor injuries.
Police are continuing to investigate the crash and officials are working to determine whether impairment was another factor in the collision.
Glendale Police officer Randy Price has been with the department for about 15 years now. He tells ABC15 he’s seen an increase in street racing within the city.
“In Glendale, we have a zero-tolerance policy. If you are charged in Glendale, our city court and our prosecutors have zero leniency,” he told ABC15.
The police department said just last year from July to December, it arrested 20 people for street racing. This year so far, officers have arrested four people.
“That’s not saying it’s catching everybody, or some officers aren’t always seeing it as street racing. It’s something we see on the weekend, we see intersection takeovers which are even more dangerous,” Price said.
He added that if people do notice others street racing while out driving, to just get out of the way and be safe.
