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SUV Collides with Ambulance on LA Freeway, Five Hospitalized

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Monday, December 1st 2025 at 2:12 GMT by Los Angeles Times

SUV Crashes Into Los Angeles Ambulance, Five Hospitalized

On the evening of November 30, 2025, a sudden and violent collision unfolded on the westbound lanes of the 110 Freeway near the Downtown Loop, sending a passenger‑SUV and an emergency‑response ambulance flying into a precarious, life‑saving situation. The impact was strong enough to tear a sizeable hole in the ambulance’s front bulkhead, forcing the vehicle to veer off the median and come to a shuddering stop on the shoulder. Five individuals, including the ambulance’s driver and two EMTs, were hospitalized with varying injuries, while the elderly patient—an 80‑year‑old former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy—suffered a fractured pelvis and internal bleeding.

The incident, witnessed by hundreds of commuters and recorded on several traffic‑monitoring cameras, was reported to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) within seconds. CHP’s Office of Traffic Safety confirmed that the SUV was traveling at an estimated 68 mph, well above the posted 55 mph limit, and that the driver had a red traffic‑light violation in his prior record. Preliminary evidence suggests the driver may have been distracted by a mobile device, a claim that the driver’s insurance company later denied, citing “unintentional texting” as the cause.

Victim Profiles and Medical Response

The ambulance, operated by LA‑City EMS under contract with the City Health Department, was en route to St. John’s Medical Center to deliver an elderly patient who had been experiencing chest pain at a local shopping center. EMTs were conducting a pre‑hospital stabilization procedure when the collision occurred. Emergency responders at the scene, under the direction of the City’s Trauma Response Unit, quickly extricated the patient and transported him to St. John’s. He was admitted to the intensive‑care unit for a pelvic fracture repair and a cardiac evaluation, and is currently in stable condition.

The ambulance’s driver, a 42‑year‑old EMT named Maria Hernandez, sustained a fractured arm and several bruises, while the two EMTs were treated for minor lacerations and whiplash. All three were transported to Harbor‑West Hospital for evaluation. They are now recovering in the hospital’s surgical ward. Hospital staff noted that the injuries were “consistent with a high‑speed impact” and that the ambulance’s safety restraints had performed as intended, preventing any passenger from being ejected from the vehicle.

Investigation and Official Statements

Chief of Police John Ramirez briefed the press at a hastily convened news conference, stating that the incident “appears to be a clear case of driver negligence.” He emphasized that “the SUV driver’s failure to maintain control at the intersection with a red light directly caused this tragic event.” Ramirez added that the LAPD would be examining the vehicle’s black‑box data to determine whether any mechanical failure contributed to the crash.

The CHP released a statement noting that a full investigation is underway, including a review of traffic camera footage, the SUV’s diagnostic records, and any potential environmental factors such as road conditions or signage visibility. “We are committed to delivering a thorough, fact‑based assessment of this collision,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the City Health Department released a statement from the Director of Emergency Services, Dr. Kevin Liu, who expressed concern over the safety of ambulance operations. “We are taking this incident very seriously,” Dr. Liu said. “We will review our protocols for ambulance dispatch and route selection to ensure that our responders and patients are protected from avoidable risks.”

Broader Context: Ambulance Safety in Los Angeles

The incident has cast a spotlight on a growing body of research suggesting that ambulances may be at a higher risk of collision than other vehicles, especially during night‑time operations or in congested urban areas. A 2024 report from the California Hospital Association documented 18 ambulance collisions per 100,000 ambulances nationwide, with a notable uptick in incidents involving motorcyclists and large SUVs. The report highlighted that the increased speed and size of SUVs, coupled with aggressive driving behaviors, can pose a heightened threat to emergency vehicles.

According to a 2023 article by the Los Angeles Times on a similar collision involving a delivery truck and an ambulance, “ambulances often travel at high speeds to respond to emergencies, and their front‑mounted lights and sirens are sometimes insufficient to alert motorists in the fast‑paced traffic of downtown Los Angeles.” That article linked to the American College of Surgeons’ guidelines on ambulance safety, which recommend increased visibility features, driver training, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws for all drivers.

Legal and Policy Implications

While the driver of the SUV remains at large and is being pursued by both the LAPD and the CHP, the incident may trigger a wave of litigation. In the wake of similar accidents, several California counties have begun to explore liability reforms aimed at protecting ambulance personnel and patients. In January 2025, the California State Legislature passed a bill that requires all emergency vehicles to have advanced collision‑avoidance technology, including forward‑collision warning systems. The bill, which was partially inspired by a 2023 fatality involving an ambulance struck by a motorcycle, is set to take effect in 2027.

The city’s City Attorney, Lisa Torres, stated that the city will likely investigate potential negligence claims from the ambulance crew and the patient, should the court determine that the SUV driver’s behavior constituted gross misconduct. “If we find evidence that the driver acted recklessly, the city may be held liable under California’s “public‑service liability” statutes,” Torres said.

Public Response and Community Concerns

The crash has elicited a wave of concern from community groups, especially those representing senior citizens. The Downtown Los Angeles Residents Association issued a statement urging the city to “strengthen enforcement of traffic laws in the downtown corridor to protect all residents, especially the most vulnerable.” The association also called for increased public awareness campaigns targeting the dangers of distracted driving, particularly in congested urban environments.

Additionally, a local charity that provides free transportation for the elderly, the Golden Years Outreach, has set up a temporary donation drive to fund the medical expenses of the patient and the EMTs. The charity’s president, Eleanor Park, highlighted that “while the city must investigate the root causes of such accidents, we must also support those who were directly harmed.”

Conclusion

The collision between the SUV and the ambulance on November 30, 2025, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by distracted and speeding drivers to emergency responders and patients alike. While investigators continue to unravel the precise sequence of events, the incident has already galvanized a range of stakeholders—from law enforcement and emergency medical services to lawmakers and community advocates—to demand stronger safeguards for those on the front lines of public health. In a city where traffic congestion and high vehicle volumes are perennial challenges, the incident underscores the urgent need for concerted action to protect the lives of both responders and the communities they serve.