3 injured, one critically, in Hempstead crash, police say

Three people were injured, one critically, Sunday morning, when their car struck a utility pole in Hempstead, police said.

The driver of the car, who they identified only as a female, suffered "extensive injuries" and was in critical but stable condition at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, police said.

Her two passengers were taken to the same hospital but the extent of their injuries and conditions were unknown. Police, who said a complete report had not yet been written up, also did not immediately release names and other information on the passengers.

Police said the accident occurred just before 4 a.m. on Front Street near West Orchard Street. Police and firefighters called to the scene found the car had careened into a utility pole, trapping all three occupants. Police said the two passengers were immediately able to be removed from the vehicle but the driver was pinned behind the steering wheel and the roof had to be taken off with special tools to remove her.

No further information was available.