3 Hurt in Crash Involving Suspected Drunk Driver

Three people, including a pregnant woman and her 4-year-old son, were critically injured in a three-vehicle accident Sunday morning when their car was hit by a suspected drunk driver, authorities said.

Barbara Soto, 41, of Van Nuys suffered spinal injuries and a concussion, said Lt. Jay Farrand of the Burbank Police Department. Her son, Josue, had a broken neck and skull fracture.

Also injured was a third passenger, Vincente Soto Rivera, whom authorities believe is Soto’s husband. He suffered internal injuries and a dislocated hip.

The man and woman were taken to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills. Josue Soto was taken to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

All were listed in critical condition late Sunday night, according to hospital officials.

The boy was wearing a seat belt but was ejected from the car during the crash, Farrand said. Soto is five months pregnant, and her fetus was apparently not injured, he said.

The car that struck them was driven by Robert Diaz of Glendale, according to Farrand. Diaz, 41, suffered a minor facial cut. He was arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence.

Diaz was driving southbound on 3rd Street at about 9:20 a.m. when he hit Soto’s car, which was stopped at a traffic signal at Magnolia Boulevard, Farrand said.

Soto’s car was then struck by a car driven by Norma Sims, 71, Farrand said. The Burbank woman sustained minor injuries and was not hospitalized.

Diaz lost control of his vehicle and eventually plowed through a wooden fence, dropping an estimated 30 feet to the bottom of a construction site, Farrand said.