3 Hurt as Car Goes Over Embankment

A car carrying three people plunged down a steep embankment Monday night, critically injuring the occupants, police said.

The white 1991 Ford Mustang, driven by Benedin Sosa, 22, of San Francisco, was traveling north on the Golden State Freeway on a deserted stretch of road two miles south of Gorman. A California Highway Patrol officer said Sosa may have fallen asleep and drifted off the road.

Sosa, who suffered head injuries and possible internal injuries, was taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital by helicopter, said CHP spokesman Mark Ehly.

Passenger Jarell Harris, 21, of Pacifica, who suffered lacerations to his face, shoulder and arm, was taken by ambulance to the same Valencia hospital, officials said.

Another passenger, Carlos Ledesma, whose age and hometown were not released, was thrown from the car and suffered a broken leg and possible internal injuries, the CHP spokesman said. He was flown to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills.