OXNARD : Family Plans Funeral for Crash Victim, 3

One day after a three-car collision resulted in the death of 3-year-old Jazmin Perez, her Oxnard relatives spent Thursday planning funeral arrangements and grappling with their loss.

The young girl was killed Wednesday morning when a driver used the dirt and gravel median of California 126 to try to pass another car, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Two others were injured as a result of the collision, which occurred about two miles east of the Ventura city limits.

Meanwhile, CHP officials said they will spend up to four weeks investigating the crash before recommending whether charges should be filed against the driver suspected of instigating the accident, Paul A. Callahan, 51, of Ventura.

A completed report will be sent to the district attorney later this month.

“We have to inspect the cars and interview some more witnesses,” Officer David Cockrill said. “It will be three or four weeks until we complete our investigation and send a package to the district attorney.”

On Wednesday, Callahan was attempting to pass another driver by using the shoulder of California 126 when he lost control and triggered a series of collisions that led to Jazmin’s death, investigators said.

Two others, including the young girl’s mother, were injured in the accident.

Cockrill said Jazmin was not secured in a child safety seat at the time of the crash, and there is a possibility that the mother, Belinda Revelez, who was driving, also could be cited.

Under state law, a child under 4 years old or weighing less than 40 pounds must be secured in a child-safety seat.