Police investigators process the scene of a serious crash at 900 West and North Temple between two cars in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020. Three people were taken to the hospital in critical condition. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Ashley Imlay
By Ashley Imlay

SALT LAKE CITY — Three people were critically injured Sunday morning after police say a Tesla ran a red light and hit another car in downtown Salt Lake City.

The crash occurred at 900 W. North Temple when the westbound Tesla hit the northbound car after “traveling at a high rate of speed” through a red light, said Salt Lake Police Lt. Brett Olsen.

Two men in the Tesla and one woman in the car were taken to area hospitals in critical condition.

After the crash, Olsen said the Tesla’s combustible battery began exploding on scene, and a hazardous materials team arrived to take care of the battery.

Photos of the crash taken by a bystander show the front end of the Tesla apparently ravaged by flames.

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The crash remained under investigation. Impairment was not immediately suspected in the crash, Olsen said.

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Police investigators process the scene of a serious crash at 900 West and North Temple between two cars in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020. Three people were taken to the hospital in critical condition. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Police investigators process the scene of a serious crash at 900 West and North Temple between two cars in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020. Three people were taken to the hospital in critical condition. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Police investigators process the scene of a serious crash at 900 West and North Temple between two cars in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020. Three people were taken to the hospital in critical condition. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Police investigators process the scene of a serious crash at 900 West and North Temple between two cars in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020. Three people were taken to the hospital in critical condition. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Police investigators process the scene of a serious crash at 900 West and North Temple between two cars in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020. Three people were taken to the hospital in critical condition. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Police investigators process the scene of a serious crash at 900 West and North Temple between two cars in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020. Three people were taken to the hospital in critical condition. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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A pedestrian takes a look as police investigators process the scene of a serious crash at 900 West and North Temple between two cars in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020. Three people were taken to the hospital in critical condition. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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A police officer replaces a tape line as investigators process the scene of a serious crash at 900 West and North Temple between two cars in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020. Three people were taken to the hospital in critical condition. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Three people were hospitalized in critical condition after a two-car collision Sunday morning at 900 W. North Temple.  | James Bucek
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