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A California Highway Patrol officer investigates the scene of crash at a Chevron gas station on the corner of Foothill Blvd. and Grove Way on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012 in Hayward, Calif. The driver of the stolen car led police on a short high speed chase on eastbound 580 before exiting at Foothill. The driver fled on foot after crashing the vehicle before being taken into custody. The driver was in possesion of both a gun and drugs according to the California Highway Patrol. (Aric Crabb/Staff)

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HAYWARD -- A fleeing motorist barely missed taking out a gas station pump during a police chase Tuesday afternoon and instead slammed into a pillar at a downtown refilling station, according to the California Highway Patrol.

An officer conducting radar enforcement about 2:30 p.m. on eastbound Interstate 580 clocked a speeding red Ford Mustang, said Sgt. Shawn Morris. When the officer tried to stop the car, the Mustang sped up away.

A chase began and, at one point, the driver of the Mustang exited the interstate onto Foothill Boulevard and tried to make a right hand turn onto Grove Way, Morris said.

The driver missed the turn, he said, and instead crashed into a metal pillar that protected a pump at a Chevron gas station on the corner.

The driver, who was injured, got out of the Mustang and a ran for a short distance. Officers caught up to the driver about a half block away on Grove Way and arrested him.

The driver, whose name was not released, received moderate injuries on his head and his face from the crash. He was transported to a hospital, Morris said.

A preliminary investigation revealed the Mustang had been stolen, and that the driver was in possession of illegal narcotics and a loaded .25 caliber handgun, authorities said.

Contact Natalie Neysa Alund at 510-293-2469. Follow her at Twitter.com/nataliealund.