Student Remains in Hospital After Crash

A Buena High School student remained hospitalized Friday, the day after the car in which he was riding with four fellow underclassmen plowed into a palm tree as they drove to Ventura High’s graduation ceremony, authorities said.

James Barton, 16, was reported in critical condition Thursday, but his parents requested that Ventura County Medical Center officials provide no further updates of his injuries, a spokeswoman said Friday.

The four other students were treated at area hospitals for minor injuries and released.

The crash occurred on Main Street near the Buenaventura Mall, and police at the scene suspected that horseplay between two carloads of students may have contributed to the wreck. Investigators were unavailable for comment on Friday.