OXNARD : Teen-Ager Remains in Serious Condition
A Hueneme High School junior remained in serious condition Sunday at Westlake Community Hospital with injuries she suffered in a traffic accident that claimed the lives of two Oxnard teen-agers, a hospital official said.
Veronica Ochoa, 17, suffered multiple injuries when a pickup truck carrying 10 teen-agers celebrating a high school graduation rolled over on the Ventura Freeway early Saturday near Rancho Conejo Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.
Oxnard teen-agers Jennifer Rodriguez and Rosalinda Santana, both 17, died from their injuries in the 2:42 a.m. accident. Three other youths were treated for minor injuries, at Los Robles Regional Medical Center and released.
California Highway Patrol investigators have not yet determined whether they would recommend that charges be filed against the 17-year-old driver, Officer Dana Smith said. “If she didn’t do anything wrong legally she’s not going to be charged.”
Smith said Sunday that passengers above the age of 12 are allowed to ride in the bed of a pickup truck as long as there is enough room to sit without leaning over the sides. A final report on the accident will not be completed before today.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
