A silver BMW lost control and crashed as the driver was attempting to leave the freeway on the Tamalpais Drive exit in Corte Madera on Wednesday at 1:10 p.m., according to CHP officer, Sandro Salvetti .
The vehicle caught fire as it struck a light pole adjacent to Denny’s Diner in Corte Madera. The two occupants of the vehicle emerged and were able to climb over a nearby fence. The fire was contained in the car until it was extinguished by Corte Madera firefighters.
“I heard a big pop and we saw flames coming out [of the car],” said Joshua, an eyewitness at the scene who requested that only his first name be used.
Twin Cities police officers in an unmarked car called in the speeding vehicle at around 1:05 p.m., according to Salvetti.
Salvetti said both the unmarked police cruiser and an on duty CHP cruiser saw the BMW rapidly change lanes and lose control in an attempt to exit the freeway. According to Salvetti, the car struck a light post at an estimated 110 miles per hour.
The two men in the car, the 20 year-old driver and 21 year-old passenger, fled the burning vehicle and ran into Denny’s Diner. Both men are currently in the hospital being treated for minor burns and internal injuries.
“They were wearing their seatbelts, which is why they are still alive,” Salvetti said. The offramp was shut down until early Wednesday evening.
