3 Injured In Rancho Bernardo Crash-Turned-Standoff

SAN DIEGO, CA – A vehicle crash in Rancho Bernardo that sent three crash victims to the hospital Sunday turned into a standoff with a knife-wielding suicidal man who refused to come out of the vehicle, authorities said.

San Diego Fire-Rescue personnel responded shortly before noon to Pomerado Road near Fieldstone Drive and called for police back-up, according to Sgt Tom Sullivan.

Officers blocked off surrounding streets in the area east of Interstate 15, forcing an ambulance to take an alternate route to the scene, Sullivan said.

SDFD dispatched 14 units to the scene including five ambulances, urban search and rescue, a medical rescue unit, a shift commander, a battalion chief, a fire engine and others, according to the department's web site.

Three people were transported by ambulance to local hospitals with unknown injuries, according to SDFD spokeswoman Monica Munoz.

The condition of the unidentified man who was threatening to commit suicide with a knife was not released.

The standoff was ongoing five hours after it began.

No further details were available.

By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock