Police are looking into whether drag racing and speed were factors in a rollover crash that sent a driver to the hospital with critical injuries in New Haven early Saturday morning.
William Rivera Jr., 24, of East Haven, was driving an Acura on Sargent Drive when he was involved in a rollover crash and his car struck a utility pole.
Police and firefighters responded at about 2:19 a.m. to what turned out to be the crash site on Sargent Drive near Hallock Avenue after a 911 caller reported hearing what sounded like a gunshot.
Firefighters used "special equipment" to rescue Rivera, who was trapped in the vehicle and needed to be extricated, police said.
No evidence has been found to support the report of gunfire or that the car or driver were struck, but police said the loud bang the witness heard could have come from one of the tires bursting.
A witness told police that the car, a small, red Acura, was moving at a "high rate of speed" with "another vehicle on the straightaway," police said.
"Drag-racing has not been ruled out as a factor, although there is no evidence yet to support that theory," Officer David B. Hartman, spokesperson for the New Haven Police Department, said.
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The driver, the only one in the car at the time of the crash, was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital to be treated for grave injuries. Rivera is listed in critical condition.
Sargent Drive was closed from Long Wharf Drive to Hallock Avenue earlier in the morning.
Police are looking for evidence to determine the cause of the crash, but the initial investigation shows that speed was likely a factor. Officers will review any surveillance footage available.
