Sheriff’s Detective, Man Hurt in Wreck
A sheriff’s detective was sent to the hospital with multiple fractures Thursday after a car crashed head-on into his unmarked police car near Saticoy.
Det. Oscar Bermudez, 40, a 17-year-veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, was driving north on Vineyard Avenue on his way to work at 6:45 a.m. when a Chevy Sprint crossed the double yellow line and slammed into his car, the CHP said.
Authorities do not know why driver Juan Arreola, 23, of Santa Paula crossed into the northbound lanes, but the accident resulted in severe injuries to both men. Authorities do not suspect that alcohol was involved. Both men, who were wearing seat belts, had to be extracted from their cars by firefighters, the CHP said.
Bermudez underwent surgery and was listed in serious but stable condition Thursday night at Ventura County Medical Center, Sheriff’s Deputy Chuck Buttell said. Arreola was in surgery late Thursday at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, officials said.
Traffic was rerouted for about three hours after the accident.
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