Driver Held in Multi-Vehicle Collision; 12 Hurt

The driver of a car who ran a red light in Arleta, causing a multi-vehicle accident in which 12 people were injured, has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, Los Angeles police said Monday.

Angel Ochoa, 21, of Sun Valley failed to stop at an intersection Sunday evening, police said. He suffered head and chest injuries and was listed in stable condition at Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, where he was arrested, Sgt. John O’Toole said.

Police said Ochoa was driving his Camaro west on Terra Bella Street at 7:30 p.m. when he ran the red light at Woodman Avenue and was struck by a southbound pickup. Both vehicles then hit a motorcycle and another car.

Police said several beer cans were found in Ochoa’s car, which came to a rest against a tree in the front yard of an apartment house.

Three other people, including two men riding with Ochoa, were seriously injured. Alejandro Villafando, 21, of Van Nuys and Jose Perez, whose age and address were not immediately determined, suffered internal injuries and had to be removed from the wreckage by firefighters using “jaws of life” rescue equipment, police said.

Perez was in serious condition at Northridge Hospital Medical Center and Villafando was in stable condition at Holy Cross.