SIMI VALLEY : Grandmother, 76, Dies After Car Crash

Dorothy Helliwell, 76, was on her way to buy flowers for her granddaughter’s wedding when she was fatally injured in a Simi Valley car crash, family members said Friday.

The Anaheim woman died of heart injuries in the emergency room of Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks at 5:55 p.m. Thursday, authorities said.

Five other people were injured in the accident, which began with a speed contest on Tierra Rejada Road, Simi Valley Police Officer Blair Summey said. An unidentified pickup truck and a Toyota Celica driven by Chris Brown, 19, of Simi Valley were racing east when Brown’s Toyota careened out of control, Summey said.

Brown’s car crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a 1984 Toyota station wagon driven by Judith Tout, 51, of Simi Valley, he said. Tout’s mother, Helliwell, was a passenger in the car, which overturned, Summey said.

Helliwell was flown by Fire Department helicopters to Los Robles Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, authorities said.

Helliwell and Tout were on their way to buy flowers for Tout’s daughter’s wedding today, said Helliwell’s grandson, Dave Tout, 25, of Simi Valley. Helliwell also planned to attend another grandchild’s wedding today, he said.

Judith Tout was listed in serious condition Friday at Simi Valley Adventist Hospital, a spokeswoman said.

Brown was treated for minor injuries and released, authorities said. Three of his passengers were admitted to local hospitals with more severe injuries.

Tina Melson, 18, of Moorpark was listed in fair condition and her brother Gene, 16, was in serious condition at Simi Valley Adventist Hospital, a spokeswoman said. David Ferguson, 19, of Simi Valley was taken to Los Robles Regional Medical Center, where he was listed in serious condition with multiple injuries, a spokeswoman said.