2 Teen-Agers Badly Injured in Fiery Canoga Park Crash

Two teen-agers who suffered serious injuries in an accident in Canoga Park were rescued from their burning car with the help of a driver later arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, police said Saturday.

Miguel Loayza, 17, of Northridge was in critical condition at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, suffering from second- and third-degree burns and head injuries, and Adrian Rodriguez, 17, of Sepulveda was in satisfactory condition in the burn unit at Sherman Oaks Community Hospital after the accident, which occurred just after 5 p.m. Friday.

Police said the two youths were turning east onto Parthenia Street from southbound De Soto Avenue when their Volkswagen was struck by a Buick driven by Jamie Welch, 21, of Simi Valley, who was driving north on De Soto when he ran a red light.

The Volkswagen skidded and rolled over on its top, leaking gasoline, police said. Bystanders pushed the car back on its wheels, but “once the vehicle returned to the upright position, there was an almost immediate ignition,” said Los Angeles Police Sgt. Bob Farkas.

Police said the bystanders and Welch pulled the youths from the burning car.

Welch was treated for minor injuries at Holy Cross Medical Center and later booked at Van Nuys Jail on suspicion of drunken driving.