Early Thursday morning, investigators say an officer found a car had smashed into a large tree in the southeast part of Lincoln, near South 27th and Sewell Streets.
Officers tried to get two people out of the wreckage, but the damage was heavy, and fire had broken out, causing the police to retreat.
Lincoln Fire and Rescue eventually put out the fire, but the two victims were declared dead at the scene.
Their names have not been released.
Two officers suffered cuts trying to make the rescue.
Police say they canvassed the area and found security video that showed the 2017 Chrysler 300 traveling at a high rate of speed before the collision.