4 Injured in 2-Car Accident

Four people were injured, two critically, when a driver ran a red light Sunday and slammed into another vehicle in Northridge, authorities said.

A Plymouth Neon westbound on Nordhoff Street went through the intersection at Winnetka Avenue and struck a southbound Dodge Intrepid shortly before 6 p.m., Los Angeles Police Officer Morlee Watson said.

Authorities said a woman inside the Intrepid was transported to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, where her condition was listed as critical. Two 20-year-old men inside the Intrepid were taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center in serious condition.

The 41-year-old driver of the Neon also was taken to the Northridge hospital, where he was reported in critical condition.

Wendy Lau, 42, a former nurse’s aide from Winnetka, said she and other passersby tied a tourniquet around the female victim’s arm, which was nearly severed. Lau said she and others at the scene were deeply disturbed by how long it took them to reach 911.

Bob Collis, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department, said paramedics received the call at 5:54 p.m. He said, “911 calls first go to the police, and then they’re transferred to the Fire Department. They were busy, I guess.”

Police said they are investigating whether the accident was alcohol-related.