Police Arrest Man After 17 Are Hurt in Collision
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A suspected drunk driver was arrested after 17 people were injured in a head-on car crash Sunday near the Tujunga Wash, authorities said.
Ernesto Hernandez, 26, of Lake View Terrace was driving with a passenger and a 2-year-old child when his car crossed the center divider, striking a van with 12 people about 3:15 p.m. near the Wildwood picnic area on Big Tujunga Canyon Road, California Highway Patrol Officer Steve Munday said.
The toddler in Hernandez’s car suffered head injuries and was taken to Olive View Medical Center in Sylmar, where he was in guarded condition, hospital officials said. Hernandez and the second passenger had minor to moderate injuries.
The 12 people in the van also had minor to moderate injuries, Munday said. Two solo motorists traveling behind the van became involved in the collision and were injured.
Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving and endangering the life of the child, who wore no restraints in the car, Munday said.
The crash forced the closure of the two-lane highway for about two hours, the CHP said.
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