2 Killed, 7 Injured as Pickup Trucks Collide in Mission Hills

Two people, including a 5-year-old child, were killed and at least seven others were seriously injured Sunday when two pickup trucks collided on the Simi Valley (118) Freeway, authorities said.

The accident occurred about 7:40 p.m. in the westbound lanes of the freeway near Sepulveda Boulevard in Mission Hills, California Highway Patrol Officer Ron Ainsworth said.

The driver of the first truck apparently lost control of the vehicle, which struck the center divider before bouncing back into the inside lane, Ainsworth said.

Hit by Second Truck

The passengers got out of the vehicle, which was hit head-on by a second truck traveling at a high rate of speed, Ainsworth said.

One of the passengers from the first truck, a 5-year-old boy, and the driver of the second truck were killed in the collision, authorities said. Their names were withheld pending notification of relatives.

Some of the injured were taken to Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, while others were taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center, said Jim Wells, spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Four people suffered critical injuries. One was in serious condition and the injuries of the remaining two victims were undetermined, Wells said. Further information about the injured was not immediately available.

“It was just a real mess,” Ainsworth said.

The westbound lanes of the freeway were shut down for at least two hours while the wreckage was cleared.