One man was stabbed, another hit with a vehicle and a third beaten with a pipe in an attack by suspected gang members at a Hilmar park.

The attack was reported to the Merced County Sheriff’s Department around 5 p.m. Saturday at Hagaman Park.

When deputies arrived at the scene they found out one victim — a 19-year-old Hispanic male — had been taken by a friend to Mercy Hospital in Merced with a stab wound to the chest.

The three male victims — all 19 years old — told the deputies they were driving on Bloss Avenue when a gray minivan pulled up alongside then and the occupants started “throwing gang signs,” said sheriff spokesman Deputy Tom MacKenzie.

The victims said the driver of the van attempted to run them off the road. When the three reached the park the van’s driver rammed their vehicle, MacKenzie said.

Several suspects got out of the van with pipes and began pounding on the victim’s car, MacKenzie said.

One of the 19-year-olds was pulled from the vehicle and was beaten by the suspects.

A second victim got out of the car to try and help his friend and was struck on the head with a pipe and knocked to the ground.

“While on his back, he could feel them kicking and punching him, until he hit one of the suspects in the face and took his pipe away,” MacKenzie said. “That was when he noticed he had been stabbed in the chest.”

The suspects all jumped back into the van. As they were leaving they hit the third victim with the van, causing him to roll off the windshield, MacKenzie said. He was taken to Emanuel Medical Center for treatment.

MacKenzie said all the victims are expected to recover from their injuries.

The suspects were described as Hispanic males. One was bald and wearing a yellow shirt. Another was seen wearing a blue tank top.

Anyone with information about the assault or the suspects is asked to contact the sheriff’s department at 385-7472.

To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.