This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Two people were hospitalized with serious injuries on Friday after their sport utility vehicle crashed into a freeway support as they fled from police.

The collision occurred at about 5 a.m. near 800 South and 650 West, Salt Lake City police Lt. Andy Oblad said.

Patrol officers had pulled the car over near West Temple and 600 South after learning it was tied to a person with outstanding warrants for felony gun-related crimes, Oblad said.

Police had removed one of two passengers from the vehicle, when the driver sped off.

No chase ensued, but minutes later police spotted the Nissan Pathfinder as it sped west on 800 South and careened into the concrete Interstate-15 overpass supports after crossing the railroad tracks near 650 West, Oblad said.

It wasn't immediately clear why the driver lost control of the vehicle, he said.

Both the driver and the second passenger suffered serious injuries to their legs, Oblad said. The front of the SUV was so damaged that officers and paramedics had to pull the men out of the vehicle through the rear.