Drunk-Driving Charge Filed in Arleta Crash

The driver of a car that police said ran a red light in Arleta, causing a multi-vehicle accident in which 12 people were injured, has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

Angel Ochoa, 21, of Sun Valley, who was seriously injured in the accident after he failed to stop at the intersection of Terra Bella Street and Woodman Avenue at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, was arrested at Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, where he was being treated for head and chest injuries, Los Angeles Police Sgt. John O’Toole said Monday. Hospital officials said Ochoa was in stable condition.

Three other people, including two men riding with Ochoa, were also seriously injured when Ochoa’s Camaro was struck by a pickup truck at the intersection, police said. Both vehicles then careened into a motorcycle and another car, police said.

Ochoa’s passengers, Alejandro Villafando, 21, of Van Nuys and Jose Perez, whose age and address could not be immediately determined, both suffered internal injuries and were trapped inside the wrecked car, police said. They were removed by firefighters with “jaws of life” rescue equipment, authorities said.

Perez was in serious condition at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, and Villafando was in stable condition at Holy Cross, officials said.

O’Toole said the motorcycle rider, 26-year-old Jodie Swafford, also was seriously injured. She was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. Hospital officials said Monday she was in good condition.

Eight other motorists, who were the drivers and passengers of the pickup truck and second car struck, were treated at several area hospitals--including Holy Cross, Pacifica Community Hospital, Panorama Community Hospital and San Fernando Community Hospital--and released, officials said. Their names were not released Monday.

Police said Ochoa was driving west on Terra Bella when he drove through the red light, and his car was struck by the southbound pickup, creating the chain-reaction accident. Police said several beer cans were found in Ochoa’s car, which came to a rest against a tree in a front yard of an apartment house on the corner.