Car Crash Linked to Bird Crossing

Two Simi Valley drivers were injured in a traffic accident that police say was caused when one of the drivers stopped to allow a covey of quail to cross the road.

Kirsten Lawrence, 26, and Jessica Vanderck, 22, were slightly injured in the accident that occurred about 3 p.m. Friday when Vanderck rear-ended Lawrence, who had stopped her car in the northbound lane of Erbes Road to allow the birds to pass, a Ventura County sheriff’s deputy said.

In the car with Lawrence were her 7-year-old and 1-year-old daughters, as well as the family dog, the spokesman said.

Lawrence and Vanderck were taken to Los Robles Regional Medical Center, where they were treated for minor injuries and released, a hospital spokeswoman said.

No citations were issued, and the quail were unharmed.