Driver of stolen police car injures four

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SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Four people were hurt when a man crashed a stolen South Salt Lake, Utah, police car into two other vehicles during a high-speed chase, police say.

The unnamed man, only identified as a 20-year-old Arizona resident, allegedly jumped into the squad car, its key in the ignition, early Sunday after a police officer unlocked its door from a distance by keyless entry remote, South Salt Lake Police spokesman Gary Keller said.

The resulting car chase ended when the police car rear-ended one vehicle and struck another head-on, The Salt Lake Tribune reported Monday.

The driver of the first vehicle struck was hospitalized in extremely critical condition. His passenger, the driver of the second vehicle struck and the alleged suspect were each hospitalized in serious condition, Keller said.

The Utah Highway Patrol was investigating if the suspect was intoxicated at the time of the incident, and the South Salt Lake police was conducting its own investigation.