Driver killed in crash during police pursuit in Richmond

RICHMOND, Calif. (KTVU) - One person is dead after a police pursuit in Richmond late Thursday night.

Contra Costa County Sheriff deputies attempted to pull over a sedan at 11:41 p.m. Thursday after they noticed two people exit the car and discard an unknown item in a suspicious manner at the Rodeo Post Office at 499 Parker Avenue. 

Deputies began pursuing the car southbound on San Pablo Avenue when the suspect car slammed into a big rig after running a red light at San Pablo Avenue and Richmond Parkway according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff Department spokesman Jimmy Lee. 

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene and the passenger was able to exit the vehicle on his own. They are not being identified at this time. 

Lee said the item discarded at the Post Office was later found to be a firearm. 

The CHP has issued a traffic alert for the closure of the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and Richmond Parkway because of the investigation.