Boy Dies After Car Hits Pole; 3 Others Hurt

A 15-year-old boy was fatally injured and three people were hurt early Wednesday when a car struck a utility pole in Garden Grove, police said.

Joe Ferguson of Garden Grove died of massive head injuries at UCI Medical Center at 11:30 a.m., about 10 1/2 hours after the collision, said Garden Grove Police Sgt. Bruce Beauchamp. An autopsy is scheduled for today.

The driver, Ronald Lee Henderson, 20, of Stanton, was arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving and released pending further investigation, Beauchamp said. He said that Henderson was treated at Westminster Humana Hospital and released and that results of his blood alcohol test will not be available for two days.

Two Garden Grove girls--who had left Valley View Bowl Tuesday night with Henderson and Ferguson to go for a ride--also suffered injuries, Beauchamp said.

Marcie Baldwin, 13, remained in serious but stable condition at Fountain Valley Community Hospital. She was being treated in the intensive care unit for head injuries and a fractured right leg, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Jamie Johnson, 14, was taken to Westminster Humana Hospital, where she was treated for a broken leg and released, a nursing supervisor said.

Police said Henderson was driving north on Dale Street when, just after he crossed the Chapman Avenue intersection, the car failed to merge when the lane narrowed. The car struck a curb and then rammed into a light pole, officers said.