Police Van With Prisoners Rammed by Car in Fountain Valley

A Huntington Beach police van carrying five prisoners to the Orange County Jail  struck by a vehicle Monday morning in Fountain Valley.

The accident took place in a strong fog at the intersection of Ward Street and Ellis Ave., at 8:20 a.m. The unlicensed driver of a 1990 Toyota Camry, Juan Ruiz, 34, of Santa Ana, allegedly ran a red light while traveling southbound on Ward Street.

The police van was traveling eastbound on Ellis, in the 30-40 mph range, when it struck the Toyota, which was going about 40 mph, according to witnesses.

Ambulances that responded to the call took three prisoners who complained of general soreness, particularly in their shoulders, to Fountain Valley Regional Hospital. They were released by 1 p.m. and taken to jail.

One prisoner complained of a head injury and the other a neck injury and were taken to UC Irvine Medical Center and Western Medical Center. The detention officer was taken to Hoag Hospital.

Ruiz was also taken to a hospital complaining of chest pains. He will be cited for the violation causing the collision. There is no evidence that alcohol or drugs played a role in the accident.

A police trailing vehicle traveled with the van, which is standard procedure, and law enforcement from Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley responded.

None of the prisoners were considered dangerous, according to Huntington Beach Police Sgt. Guy Dove, who said there were complaints of shoulder and neck pain.

Dove said this isn't the first time an accident such as this has happened: "I think we've had one more where our van was hit, maybe 12 years ago."