LA County sheriff's deputy, 2 others seriously injured in head-on crash in Long Beach

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy was transporting a suspect early Tuesday morning when a patrol car and another vehicle collided head-on in Long Beach, leaving both drivers and the suspect seriously injured, authorities said.

The deputy had made an arrest before the crash, which was reported just after midnight in the 6100 block of Paramount Boulevard, said Lt. Erik Herzog of the Long Beach Police Department.

According to police, the deputy was en route to the sheriff's Lakewood station and a black four-door sedan was headed northbound on Paramount Boulevard when it crossed the center divider and struck the patrol car.

First responders removed the top of the sheriff's vehicle in its entirety before extricating the injured deputy.

The drivers and the suspect were transported to hospitals in serious condition, the police department said.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Lakewood deputy who was seriously injured in a traffic collision and to his family during this difficult time," Sheriff Jim McDonnell said. "We hope he can rest and have a speedy recovery. We appreciate the tremendous support from the community and in the department as we come together to support one of our own."

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call the Long Beach Police Department at (562) 570-7355, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

City News Service contributed to this report.