Stolen car sped away from police before crash near Century City mall

CENTURY CITY, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The driver of a stolen car may have been speeding away from police when he crashed into a car with two women on their way to work in front of a Century City mall on Thursday morning.

Los Angeles police began following a red Honda Accord that was speeding, believing it may have been stolen, officials said. Officers tried to get the car's license plate number, but it was moving too fast.

Moments later, the Honda Accord crashed into a black Mercedes Benz near Westfield Century City on Santa Monica Boulevard near Century Park East. Several people involved were trapped until firefighters arrived on scene.

"They never went into pursuit officially, but they were looking for the vehicle because of its reckless manner." Lt. John Jenal said.

The driver of the Honda Accord, 19, was listed in stable condition. His passenger, a woman in his 20s suffered severe head trauma, and was in critical condition.

The two women in the Mercedes Benz, in her 30s and 40s, were in stable condition.

After further investigation, police found burglary tools and other stolen items in the car.

All eastbound lanes on Santa Monica Boulevard were temporarily shut down for clean-up. They have since reopened.