Car Hits Ambulance Head-On, Hurting 4

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.

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.