Local News in Brief : AIDS Exposure Doubted

A firefighter’s hands were bloodied during the rescue of an AIDS patient who attempted suicide in San Pedro, but officials said they doubted the firefighter was exposed to the AIDS virus.

Police said the incident began at about 8 p.m. Thursday when John N. La Pinta, 39, of Palm Springs drove off a cliff above Royal Palms Beach. The man later told authorities that he was despondent about his illness, according to Los Angeles city Fire Department spokesman Vince Marzo.

Three firefighters helped remove La Pinta from his sports car and one, whose name was withheld, removed his gloves in order to place a safety collar on La Pinta. The firefighter’s hands were bloodied but he had no open wounds that might have allowed the AIDS virus into his system, Marzo said.