Local News in Brief : 2 Injured in Collision While Fleeing Police

Two men wanted for attempted murder, kidnaping and robbery led officers on a chase through North Hollywood in a stolen car late Tuesday before colliding with a tow truck and receiving serious injuries, police reported.

The driver, identified as Kenneth J. Ewing, was in critical condition at St. Joseph Medical Center, a hospital representative said. His passenger, identified as Michael A. Dontas, 23, of Northridge, was in stable condition in the jail ward at County-USC Medical Center.

Two motorcycle officers saw a pickup truck and a car speeding north on Lankershim Boulevard near Victory Boulevard about 11:30 p.m., said Sgt. Bob Farkas of the Los Angeles Police Department.

As the two officers began chasing the cars, the pickup and the Chrysler went in different directions, Farkas said, and both officers chased the truck, reaching speeds of 50 to 55 m.p.h. on Victory Boulevard.

At Laurel Canyon Boulevard, the pickup did not stop for a red light and broadsided a tow truck, the officer said. Ewing was partly ejected from the pickup, Farkas said.

Police ascertained that the truck was stolen and that the two men were wanted on suspicion of the kidnaping, attempted murder and robbery of a Van Nuys resident last Wednesday, he said.

Police would not release information about the incident because members of the victim’s family told officers that they feared for their safety.