Bad Car Accident at Alamo Square [Updated]

A collision at Hayes and Steiner this afternoon left four people with life-threatening injuries.

SF Fire Department spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge tells us the accident was reported at 3:36pm today. Two vehicles were involved, from which four patients had to be extracted. All four were transported to SF General's trauma center with life-threatening injuries, Talmadge told us. One witness, Dan M., emailed us saying he believes one of the cars ran a stop sign. Meanwhile, over on Findery, Caterina posted the above photograph and an account from the scene:

There were three people in the black car, which had been turning right onto Hayes from Steiner, and was hit by a woman driving a white car, who, reportedly had hit two other cars on Divisadero, and coming down the Hayes hill by the park, ran the stop sign at about 65-70mph. This is a bystander's estimate. Everyone was breathing when they got them out of the car.

A few other witnesses posted their accounts on Twitter:

Major head on collision between. 2 cars on Hayes st in sf pic.twitter.com/UDFUXjULj8

— Ericka So (@SoUrricka) July 23, 2013

Please don't speed when driving. Just witnessed the aftermath of a crash on Hayes. Thank you #SFFD & #SFEMT

— LOUIE LOU (@LOUIE415) July 23, 2013

The 21-Hayes has been rerouted, and Talmadge told us she expects the street to be closed for about an hour, as it's still an active scene. We have been unable to confirm any details about the accident with police, but we'll update with any additional information. Update 10:10pm: SFPD Officer Albie Esparza sent out a media update tonight about the accident. The important details:

• The 4 individuals suffered "moderate to severe, but non life threatening injuries" (which slightly contradicts what we were told by SFFD this afternoon, thankfully). Three of the individuals were in one car and one in the other.
• That lone driver, a female, first was "involved in a hit and run collision" with a parked car at Hayes and Divisadero, after which she fled the scene. She ran a stop sign at Hayes and Steiner, resulting in this collision.
• "Alcohol does NOT appear to be a factor," and she may face "reckless driving, speeding and misdemeanor hit and run charges."
• All 4 people involved are hospitalized at this time.

If we get any more information, we'll update accordingly.