SIMI VALLEY : 2 Women Hurt As Car Avoids Trailer

Two Simi Valley women were in critical condition late Friday after they swerved to avoid a runaway truck trailer on the Simi Valley Freeway and struck a tree, authorities said.

The accident occurred about 9:25 a.m. on California 118 east of Erringer Road when the trailer from a truck driven by Gregory Shafer of Chatsworth broke loose and crossed the center divider.

To avoid hitting the load, Deeba Hashemyar, 20, veered sharply to the right and then slammed into a tree. A witness told California Highway Patrol officers that Hashemyar was traveling about 75 m.p.h. at the time.

Hashemyar and her passenger, Shakila Hashemyar, 29, were both rushed to Simi Valley Hospital with critical injuries. They remained hospitalized Friday night.

No one else was injured in the accident, although two other cars were involved, according to the CHP.

A car driven by a 45-year-old Panorama City woman was struck by debris from the Hashemyars’ crash, and a vehicle driven by a 36-year-old Sylmar man received minor damage when it was sideswiped by the trailer.

Less than an hour later, as workers were trying to clear the accident, Laurie Anderson of Simi Valley was looking at the debris when she realized the traffic ahead had slowed down, authorities said.

To avoid hitting the car in front, she swerved sharply causing her vehicle to skid out of control and roll over.

Anderson was taken to Los Robles Regional Medical Center where she was treated and released.