One injured when BMW M3 slams into lamppost in Riverside, California

A driver was taken to hospital with "moderate injuries" early on Sunday morning after the BMW M3 he was driving slammed into a lamppost and burst into flames in Riverside, California.

The driver was initially trapped in the vehicle but was pulled to safety by members of the public, according to witnesses.

Witnesses also stated that perhaps two vehicles were involved with one leaving the scene and that the two may have been racing down Arlington Avenue when the crash occurred.

Police are investigating the incident and at this time it is unclear whether speed or intoxication were a factor in the crash.