Teenager Arrested in Accident That Injures 3

A Long Beach woman was in very critical condition Thursday after a teenage motorist, suspected of speeding through a red light in a stolen van while drunk, crashed into her car, police said.

Dixie Patel, 19, was unconscious after suffering massive head injuries, said a spokesman for St. Mary Medical Center. Her sister Priya, 12, was listed in good condition, and another sister, Deepa, 15, was treated and released, the spokesman said.

While waiting to make a left turn onto northbound Long Beach Boulevard from 6th Street about 8:25 p.m. Wednesday, Dixie Patel’s car was hit by a van driven by Juan Santiago, 18, of Long Beach, police said.

Santiago was arrested near the intersection and charged with felony drunk driving and grand theft auto, investigators said. He was being held on $50,000 bail.