A woman in the second car was declared dead at the scene, Knapp said. A man in that vehicle was transported to a hospital where he was listed in critical condition, she said. It was unclear who was driving.
The officer, who was hospitalized in stable condition, was responding to a call for assistance after police tried to serve a warrant on a parolee who fled, according to Knapp.
The suspect, who was considered armed and dangerous, barricaded himself inside an apartment building but eventually gave himself up and was arrested.
The crash victims' names were withheld until their families could be notified.
The accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
MORE LOCAL HEADLINES FROM ORANGE COUNTY
USEFUL LINKS:
SEND TIP || REPORT TYPO || TWEET @abc7 || WIDGET