2 Seriously Hurt as 3-Car Crash Ends Pursuit : Pacoima: Woman initially stopped for running stop sign is booked on suspicion of driving under the influence.

By CHIP JOHNSON

Feb. 24, 1994 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

PACOIMA —

A North Hollywood woman driving a stolen truck who fled from a motorcycle officer Wednesday after she was stopped for running a stop sign caused a three-car crash that critically injured a FEMA claims adjuster, authorities said.

Anna Marie Hernandez, 27, who is known to police under half a dozen aliases, was booked on suspicion of felony driving under the influence, Los Angeles Police Detective Jim Mann said.

Hernandez, who may have been under the influence of cocaine at the time of the crash, suffered a fractured pelvis and leg in the crash, Mann said. She was in serious condition at Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, a nursing supervisor said. Authorities said Hernandez submitted to a toxicological test at the hospital.

Vincent Holsinger, 29, of Mackinaw City, Mich., a building inspector under contract to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, suffered massive head and chest injuries in the crash, a Holy Cross nursing supervisor said. He was listed in critical condition.

The chase, which covered less than one mile, began when an officer pulled Hernandez over about 10 a.m. at Paxton Street and Arleta Avenue, authorities said. When the officer walked up to the vehicle, Hernandez drove off, initiating a chase, Officer Jim Thompson said.

The officer chased Hernandez east on Paxton at speeds in excess of 60 m.p.h. until reaching Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Thompson said.

Hernandez lost control of the truck when it bounced over a drainage dip in the road and slammed into a FEMA vehicle driven by Holsinger, Thompson said.

The impact sent Holsinger’s car off the road. Hernandez’s speed caused the truck to continue east and hit another car behind Holsinger’s, authorities said.

Connie Ainsworth, 25, of Burbank was treated for minor injuries at Pacifica Hospital of the Valley in Sun Valley, Mann said.

Police said the truck had been reported stolen several days ago in Pacoima.