2 Deputies Hospitalized as Car Hits Pole

Two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies remained hospitalized Sunday night after their patrol car collided with a power pole while they were responding to an emergency call the night before, officials said.

The accident occurred at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday on northbound Bouquet Canyon Road just before Centurion Way, said Lt. Robert Elson of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. Deputies closed the road for about four hours.

“Part of the closure was due to the investigation of the accident,” Elson said. “There was also some damage to the pole and electrical lines.”

Deputy Richard Phares was driving at high speed on Bouquet Canyon Road with his partner, Max Godinez, when he lost control of the patrol car for unknown reasons and crashed into the center divider, according to sheriff’s officials. The vehicle traveled across the road and over the right shoulder, hitting the power pole.

David Dill stopped and helped Phares radio for help. Firefighters used the jaws of life device to remove Phares before transporting both deputies to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in Valencia.