3 injured after dump truck chase and crash in Daly City

DALY CITY, Calif. (KGO) -- Three people are recovering from a crash caused by a stolen dump truck trying to get away from police in Daly City. Police say that driver was caught after running from the crash on San Jose Avenue early this morning.

The chase started around 12:15 this morning in Colma. A police officer thought it was unusual a dump truck was in a neighborhood at that time -- ran its plates and found out it was reported stolen out of San Francisco. The officer tried to pull over the dump truck. Police say the driver had other ideas and aimed the several tons of metal at the patrol car.

The dump truck is gone here on San Jose Avenue, but you can still see some of the damage left behind; the pole in the middle of the street and a mini-van that was parked early this morning. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, but the driver is facing some serious charges.

"From my understanding the officer felt that his life was in danger and the vehicle was heading toward his patrol vehicle putting his life in jeopardy," said Colma Police Dept. Commander Sherwin Lum.

Police say the officer reversed and got his patrol car out of the way of the massive vehicle. The dump truck took off speeding -- leading the officer on a chase through three cities. While running red lights and stop signs.

"It doesn't happen every day," said Lum.

At San Jose Avenue and Flournoy Street a 42-year-old woman and her nephews, ages 16 and 20, were just getting home in their mini-van when the dump truck slammed into them. The driver tried to run, but was arrested. The three in the mini-van were taken to the hospital.

"We got an update that their injuries are minor or moderate and we're hoping that they recover quickly," said Lum.

Police have yet to release the name of the driver. They say it appears he was on some type of drug. He could face several charges including felony assault on an officer and assault with a deadly weapon.