Deputy Hurt In Fatal Crash In Lancaster Involving Suspected DUI Driver

LANCASTER (CBSLA) — A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy is in stable condition after a suspected drunk driver crashed into her cruiser.

The accident in Lancaster happened at 15th Street and Avenue F around 1:30 a.m. Sunday in a very remote area.

The driver died at the scene.

"It's a tragedy. Any time you lose a life," said CHP Officer Gil Hernandez. "Somebody's missing a loved one. This person that was out here last night is never coming home."

The deputy's SUV and a Volvo hit driver to driver, trapping the female deputy inside. But thankfully she's going to be OK.

"Any time you are involved in an accident it's something traumatic. It's not something that we expect to happen. The fact that she's just bruised up. It's a miracle," said Hernandez.

Hernandez said that when the officers approached the Volvo there was a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. Investigators say the passenger in the Volvo from California City was drinking and rushed to the hospital in serious condition. But they will have to wait for a toxicology report to determine if the driver was drinking too.

What investigators do know is that the driver of the Volvo did not pull over immediately.

"It could just be a matter of a question or two. A citation," said Hernandez. "But it's not worth losing your life or killing somebody else over it."