CAMARILLO : Boy, 2, Sharing Seat Belt Killed in Crash

A 2-year-old boy who was sitting on his mother’s lap died in a Camarillo traffic collision when he was trapped between his mother and a seat belt wrapped around them, authorities said Monday.

Rodrigo Madrigal of Goleta was pronounced dead at Pleasant Valley Hospital at 8:15 p.m. Sunday, the Ventura County coroner’s office said. Authorities listed the cause of death as laceration of the liver.

The boy and his mother were sitting in the front passenger seat of a Mercury Capri driven by Francisco Madrigal when the collision occurred about 6:45 p.m., the CHP said.

Madrigal was traveling east on East 5th Street when he approached the intersection with Las Posas Road. While attempting to make a left turn on Las Posas, his car was hit by a pickup truck driven by Jose Ruiz, 17, of Oxnard, who was traveling in the opposite direction on 5th, authorities said.

Francisco Madrigal was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

CHP Officer Jim Utter said it is required by law that a child under 40 pounds or younger than 4 years old be put in a special child’s passenger seat when traveling in a car.

Jose was taken to St. John’s Regional Medical Center where he was treated and released. Passengers in his car, Luis Eecerra, 18, and Gloria Almasan, 22, both of Oxnard, were treated and released from local hospitals.

Francisco Madrigal, 26, also known as Francisco Pena, was listed in good condition at Pleasant Valley hospital. Alejandro Espinoza, 34, of Camarillo; Angelica Madrigal, 24, and Cecilia Madrigal, 5, passengers in Madrigal’s car, were treated and released at the same hospital.