CAMARILLO : Girl, 14, Dies After Car Strikes Pillar

A 14-year-old Camarillo girl died when the subcompact car in which she was riding ran off Valley Vista Drive and struck a six-foot brick pillar, authorities said Saturday.

Melanie Thomas was pronounced dead at 8:50 p.m. Friday at Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo, about two hours after the crash just north of Crestview Avenue, said California Highway Patrol Sgt. Matt DeMarco.

DeMarco said a 17-year-old Oxnard boy was driving at an excessive speed and lost control of the car. The boy’s name was being withheld pending charges, DeMarco said.

Other passengers included the victim’s sister, Stephanie Thomas, 17, who was listed in fair condition at Pleasant Valley Hospital Saturday; Jason Wallace, 17, of Oxnard, also in fair condition, and his sister, Alysia Wallace, 14, who was treated for minor injuries and released, authorities said.

The driver was headed south on Valley Vista Drive when he ran off the road and hit the pillar, which collapsed beneath the car, DeMarco said. Melanie Thomas was in the left rear passenger seat that absorbed most of the impact, he said.