On Tuesday, March 28, 2006 at 9:38 p.m., three companies of Los Angeles firefighters, five LAFD rescue ambulances, two EMS battalion captains, and one battalion chief officer command team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Patrick Engel responded to a traffic accident at Nordoff Street and Tampa Avenue in Northridge.
Firefighters from Engine 70 arrived to find a minor, two vehicle traffic accident in the intersection and began assessing two individuals for minor injuries. A Los Angeles unified school police officer arrived on scene and positioned his vehicle in a defensive position to shield those on scene from oncoming traffic. Approximately 10 minutes later, a small pickup truck carrying three people proceeded northbound on Tampa Avenue through the intersection at a high rate of speed, slamming into the patrol car, causing the patrol car to careen into the Los Angeles unified school police officer.
The firefighters already on scene were immediately confronted with a multi-casualty incident requiring immediate action on their part. The officer who was out of his car investigating the original traffic accident was struck by the automobiles causing critical injuries, including fractured legs and internal injuries. In addition, three others in the truck, which had struck the officer’s car were injured, two of these critically. As patients were being assessed and treated, additional paramedic ambulances and fire companies were requested.
In all, six patients were assessed on scene. The LAUSD officer suffered critical injuries and was transported to Northridge Hospital. One patient from the pickup truck suffered serious injuries and was transported to Northridge Hospital. Two other patients in the truck, including one who was partially ejected through the windshield, sustained critical injuries and were transported to Providence Holy Cross Hospital. The two patients from the original traffic accident were assessed on the scene and released. The cause of both accidents are under investigation by law enforcement authorities.