2 Injured After Car Fleeing Sideshow In Palo Alto Slams Into Tree

PALO ALTO, CA — A East Palo Alto resident faces potential criminal charges after sideswiping a police car before crashing into a tree while fleeing a sideshow in Palo Alto early Friday morning, according to the Palo Alto Police Department.

The driver, a male in his 20s, and a female passenger sustained “major injuries” and are in intensive care at a local hospital, according to police.

Police did not name the driver because he has not been arrested or charged, but said he could face charges that include felony evading, assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury.

Officers responded just after 1 a.m. Friday to four vehicles involved in a sideshow at the east end of Embarcadero Road near the Baylands Nature Preserve.

The vehicles fled the scene as the officers approached with their lights and sirens on. One of the vehicles, a red 2013 Chevrolet Camaro, struck the tire of a police car and continued on before slamming into a tree on the 1900 block of Embarcadero Road, police said.

Police said the vehicle’s collision with the police car did not directly result in the accident.

A dog in the vehicle was euthanized after sustaining “major injuries,” according to police.

Police noted that sideshows are illegal and discouraged the public from participating in this “hazardous behavior.”