Head-On Collision Injures 5

A head-on auto crash injured five people Tuesday, and police arrested one of the motorists on suspicion of drunk driving, saying he swerved into the oncoming traffic on Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

The crash occurred about 3 p.m. near Cezanne Avenue just south of Mulholland Drive, said Los Angeles Police Department Officer Celeste Thiel.

Police arrested Fernando Burgos, 25, of North Hollywood. Additional charges may be filed depending on Burgos’ blood test, Thiel said. Officers at the scene smelled alcohol on his breath, she added.

He was listed in serious condition in Northridge Hospital Medical Center on Tuesday night.

Burgos was driving a 1982 Buick Regal north on Topanga Canyon Boulevard when he lost control, crossed the double yellow lines and hit a 1986 Chevrolet Blazer head-on in the intersection at Cezanne Avenue, Thiel said.

From skid marks, it appeared Burgos was driving too fast around a curve and overcorrected, drifting into opposing traffic, Thiel said.

Burgos’ passenger, Hector Caldero, 26, of North Hollywood, was in serious condition at Northridge Hospital Medical Center.

The driver of the Blazer, William Moore, 62, of Woodland Hills, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills along with passenger Gayle Washington, 40, of Ohio, who was in serious condition.

Her husband, George Washington, 64, of Ohio, was taken to Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center in Encino with moderate injuries.

Two air ambulances, six ground ambulances and four fire engines responded to the crash, said Jim Wells, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman.

Police closed Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Mulholland Drive and Cezanne Avenue for about 3 1/2 hours, Thiel said.

A Los Angeles Unified School District spokesman said the crash delayed for about an hour at least one school bus with children returning home.