Oakland police investigating crash involving BART police cars that left several injured

A multi-vehicle crash involving two police vehicles left several people injured in Oakland, California, on Saturday, according to law enforcement officials. The Oakland Police Department (OPD) reported that the crash occurred in the 700 block of Mandela Parkway, near the West Oakland train station. The scene was chaotic, with wrecked police vehicles, broken windows, open doors, and debris scattered across the street.

The incident was reported at around 2:45 p.m. local time, with two police cars belonging to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police Department involved in the collision. Several vehicle occupants sustained injuries during the crash, prompting paramedic personnel to respond to the scene and transport the individuals to area hospitals for treatment.

Authorities are currently investigating the crash and trying to determine the circumstances that led up to it. It is unclear at this time whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision. The OPD did not disclose whether BART officers were among the injured parties.

In August, the president of the Oakland Police Officer’s Association (OPOA) criticized then-Mayor Sheng Thao for allegedly not doing enough to combat crime in the city, which has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous in California. The OPOA expressed concerns about citizens feeling unsafe in their own neighborhoods and the lack of adequate police services.

In July, the Oakland Police Department faced criticism for allegedly under-reporting crime statistics after claiming that crimes had decreased by 33%. This report was touted as an achievement by the city’s administration at the time.

Fox News Digital reached out to the BART Police Department for comment on the incident but did not receive an immediate response. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and more details will be released as they become available.

Andrea Margolis is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Readers can send story tips to andrea.margolis@fox.com.