Armored Truck Guard Killed in Accident

A Loomis Armored guard was killed and another guard was critically injured Saturday in one of at least seven crashes on the Antelope Valley Freeway, the California Highway Patrol said.

The armored truck was traveling just north of Avenue L in Lancaster about 4 p.m. when it started to weave, Officer A.J. Torres said. The driver lost control of the truck, which went about 50 feet off the side of the freeway, flipping twice before stopping in a ravine.

“Both guards were trapped in the truck, unconscious,” Torres said. “Some passersby broke the windows and dragged the two guards out. . .they performed CPR on the two men.”

The unidentified men were rushed to Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center, Torres said.

One of the guards, a 62-year-old North Hills man, died at 6 p.m. from head and chest injuries, said Frankie Richards, a hospital spokeswoman. The other guard, a 31-year-old Simi Valley man, was listed in critical condition with head injuries, she said.

Earlier in the day, four people sustained minor injuries in six accidents involving 12 cars within 30 minutes, Officer John Grindey said. They were blamed on heavy rains and speeding motorists.

A two-vehicle crash was reported at 2 p.m., just south of Agua Dulce Canyon Road, Grindey said. Moments later, another vehicle spun out of control and struck the center divider at the same site.

Within minutes, four more minor accidents were reported a quarter-mile north of the original crash, Grindey said.

Four people were treated for minor injuries at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in Santa Clarita, he said.