LOCAL : Van Nuys Van Wreck Kills Woman

A woman was killed and seven other people were injured this morning when a van veered out of control on the San Diego Freeway in Van Nuys and crashed off the roadway, the California Highway Patrol reported. Six of the injured were children.

The accident occurred at 3:15 a.m. near the Victory Boulevard off ramp, CHP Officer Ken Arguelles said. The victims were members of two Sacramento families who were driving to San Diego in a van.

The van drifted off the southbound freeway lanes for an unknown reason, hit a guardrail and then crashed into a light pole and a tree, Arguelles said.

None of the victims’ names were released this morning.

A woman believed to be about 35 years old was killed in the accident, Arguelles said. A 41-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy were critically injured and airlifted to UCLA Medical Center. Two girls, 13 and 11, and a 7-year-old boy suffered moderate to serious injuries and are being treated at Valley Presbyterian Hospital. And two other girls, 1 and 16, suffered moderate injuries and are being treated at Northridge Hospital Medical Center.

None of the victims were wearing seat belts, the CHP said. The 1-year-old girl was in a child seat but it was not secured.