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Car Hits Ambulance Head-On, Hurting 4

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A car driven by a suspected drunk driver crossed into opposing traffic lanes and hit an ambulance head-on Sunday morning in Van Nuys, injuring the driver of the car and two paramedics and a drug-overdose victim in the ambulance, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.

Alvaro Hernandez, 32, of Sepulveda was in custody at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center jail ward on suspicion of felony drunk driving, Officer Roy McFall said. Hernandez suffered a broken nose and collarbone and multiple cuts in the accident, which occurred shortly before 2 a.m., McFall said.

Russell Arentzoff, 27, a Los Angeles Fire Department paramedic, was treated at Northridge Hospital Medical Center for bruises and a torn ligament, McFall said. Paramedic Richard Cooper, 36, was treated for back pain and released, the officer said.

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The patient in the ambulance, Carolyn Gonzales, 36, was admitted to Holy Cross Medical Center with scratches and neck pain, McFall said.

The ambulance was taking Gonzales, who had suffered a drug overdose, to a hospital when the accident happened on Woodley Avenue near Gault Street, McFall said.

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