BRIEFLY CAR-THEFT SUSPECT INJURED IN CHASE.

PANORAMA CITY - A suspected gang member was injured late Thursday after crashing a stolen car while trying to evade police, authorities said.

Shane Ellis, 35, was spotted by officers in the vehicle, which had been reported stolen, on Parthenia Street near Columbus Avenue about 11:50 p.m., said Los Angeles Police Department Detective Cynthia Dragun. Ellis fled, the vehicle swerving around traffic and running red lights at speeds approaching 90 mph, she said.

At Van Nuys Boulevard near Chase Street, Ellis lost control of the car and crashed into a light pole, Dragun said. He suffered a fractured pelvis and was taken to Mission Community Hospital, Dragun said.

- Daily News

Oxnard man killed when car hits rig

OXNARD - A 46-year-old Oxnard man on his way to work Friday died after his Mitsubishi Montero collided with a tractor-trailer at 5th Street and Harbor Boulevard, officials said.

Robert Hartzell died at 5:55 a.m. of blunt-force head injuries shortly after arriving at St. John's Regional Medical Center, the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office said.

The truck driver, Laszlo Budauari, 35, of San Dimas was not injured.

The initial investigation shows the tractor-trailer, used for transporting cars, was hit by the Mitsubishi as it was turning from southbound Harbor to eastbound 5th, police said.

An investigation is continuing.

- Daily News

L.A. will pay cost of Holden defense

The Los Angeles City Council agreed Friday to hire a private law firm to represent Councilman Nate Holden in a lawsuit filed last June by a former worker who alleged he was forced to work on political campaigns.

The council agreed to hire the firm of Geragos and Geragos for a maximum of $75,000 to fight the suit filed by Ronald Mayberry. Mayberry said he was fired after refusing to work on Holden's campaign for Congress in 2001.

- Daily News

Student films air in festival tonight

SAN FERNANDO - San Fernando High School students will showcase 15 short movies they have made at the third annual iCan Short Film Festival today at The House of Brews in Library Plaza.

The free event will start at 8 p.m. at 231 N. Maclay Ave. in San Fernando. For more information, call [phone].

The films featured in the festival are the works of students in the San Fernando Education Technology Team, a group of students who integrate learning with technology.

- Daily News

Freeway clogged by jumper threat

NORTH HILLS - Traffic along a stretch of the San Diego Freeway was backed up for about an hour Friday as police talked a man out of jumping off a freeway overpass. The unidentified man had been spotted by police on the overpass above Nordhoff Street about 12:30 p.m. Firefighters arrived and put in place an inflatable cushion to break his fall in case the man jumped. He was taken by police for a mental evaluation.

- Daily News

Guilty plea given in girl's drowning

SAN FERNANDO - The operator of a North Hills day care center where a 19-month-old girl died after being pulled from a shallow fish pond pleaded guilty Friday to criminal charges, including involuntary manslaughter.

No sentencing date has been set for Omolabake Ajoke Martinez, 30, but she faces punishment ranging from probation to 14 years in state prison, said Deputy District Attorney Sera Boyadjian.

Martinez was accused of leaving Silaedy Richardson alone for more than 25 minutes at the Martinez Family Day Care Center in the 8700 block of Maya Place on March 3, according to prosecutors.

The child was found floating face-down in a 5-foot-deep koi pond, Sandi Gibbons with the District Attorney's Office said.

- City News Service