VENTURA : Mom, 2 Other Drivers Face Charges in Death : OXNARD

The mother of a 3-year-old girl killed last month in a car crash on California 126 is one of three drivers who should face misdemeanor charges for the death, California Highway Patrol investigators said Wednesday.

Belinda Revelez, 22, of Oxnard, was partly to blame for the death of her daughter, Jazmin Perez, who was thrown from a car in a three-car collision on Nov. 29, the CHP said.

Investigators recommend that Revelez be charged with child endangerment for failing to secure Jazmin in a child safety seat, Officer David Cockrill said.

The report also recommends that Paul A. Callahan, 51, of Ventura, and Melodee Anderson, 32, of Santa Paula, be charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.

Investigators concluded that Callahan used the rocky freeway median to try to pass the car driven by Anderson. Callahan lost control and collided with Anderson’s car, which then brushed against the vehicle driven by Revelez, the CHP said.

Neither Callahan nor Anderson was injured in the crash about two miles east of the Ventura city limits. Revelez and her brother-in-law suffered moderate injuries in the collision.

Cockrill said the investigation concluded the accident did not warrant felony charges.

“Whether or not there was gross intent has a lot to do with [recommending felony charges],” he said. “There’s always the possibility that the district attorney might upgrade the charges. I’ve seen it before.”

A district attorney’s spokeswoman said prosecutors will decide in the next few days what charges, if any, to file.