1 killed, 4 injured in fiery Oakley crash, explosion that started from stolen car chase, police say

OAKLEY, Calif. (KGO) -- A fiery car crash that killed one person and injured four others happened seconds after Oakley police stopped chasing a stolen car involved in the crash, according to a spokesperson for the city of Oakley.

On Thursday, the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office identified the driver killed as Erwin De La Cruz, a 50-year-old resident of Oakley.

The intersection of Laurel Road and O'Hara Avenue was closed for hours as the Oakley Police Department investigated the crash.

"There (were) two people trapped in two cars. I can't confirm how many people were in each car at this time. But we did have a total of five patients. Two of them were extricated. Unfortunately, we did have one deceased on scene. And we did transport four to local hospitals," said Battalion Chief Craig Auzenne of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

Surveillance footage shows the driver of a gray Honda sedan running a red light on O'Hara Avenue as a black Tesla on Laurel Road moves through the intersection. The cars collided and the Tesla burst into flames. The stolen car also hit a Honda SUV. Moments later, the Oakley police truck that had been pursuing the Honda approached the intersection.

The Tesla driver was killed in the crash. Three teenagers were in the stolen Honda. All three suffered major injuries, including one who was ejected from the stolen car. It appears the fourth victim was in Honda SUV. There is no information on the extent of that person's injuries.

The gray Honda sedan was reported stolen in Oakland on Sunday. Antioch Police Chief Joseph Vigil confirmed to ABC7 Eyewitness News that Antioch Police initiated the pursuit. Vigil said their pursuit lasted less than one mile and ended at Antioch's city limits at 18th Street and St. Claire Drive.

An Oakley Police officer who had been monitoring the pursuit as it approached Oakley then took over, with the stolen Honda reaching speeds of 80 mph, according to the city spokesperson.

Police say the driver of the stolen car and two other passengers were teenagers. They all suffered major injuries.

The fact that one of the cars involved in the crash was a Tesla created some additional concerns, according to Battalion Chief Auzenne.

"The hazards with the Tesla is the batteries. When crews arrived on scene, the vehicle, the Tesla, was on fire. Our concerns then are that the batteries in the undercarriage of the vehicle become involved in fire also. Which then would emit a toxic smoke," said Auzenne.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office has confirmed it is conducting an investigation, as are the Oakley Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. Such investigations are routine under the Contra Costa County Law Enforcement Fatal Incident Protocol.