Speed Appears To Be Factor In Violent Natomas Crash

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Two people are in the hospital after the vehicle they were in slammed into a light pole in Sacramento.

The crash happened on Duckhorn Drive at around 6:30 a.m., police say. Witnesses driving on Duckhorn say they were approaching the freeway when they were passed by a speeding, late-90s Acura Integra. Moments later, they drove up to the same car, which was a mangled wreck. It had jumped the curb on the right-hand side of the road, turned sideways and hit a light pole, knocking it down.

The car appeared to be nearly cut in half. Its windows were smashed and its contents were strewn across the shoulder of the road.

Firefighters freed the driver, whose legs were pinned under the car's steering column. He and the only other passenger in the car were taken to the hospital to be treated. The extent of their injuries is unknown.

The speed limit on the road is 45 mph, but police say they were likely driving over 60 mph.

Police say alcohol was not a factor. They say the two passengers are lucky to be alive.