Single-Car Accident Kills 5-Year-Old Girl

A 5-year-old girl was killed Saturday when the car she was traveling in with six other passengers, ranging in age from 3 to 23, overturned on Vineyard Avenue south of California 118 near Saticoy, California Highway Patrol officials said.

The girl was thrown from the car and died from head wounds at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, said Steve Carroll, a paramedic supervisor for Gold Coast Ambulance Service. Two other passengers, including a 6-year-old boy who suffered head trauma and a 15-year-old girl with a hip injury, were flown by sheriff’s helicopter to the Ventura County Medical Center, Carroll said.

Four others--a 3-year-old girl, 12-year-old girl, 19-year-old youth and a 23-year-old woman--suffered minor injuries.

Their names and that of the 5-year-old girl were not released Saturday.

The accident occurred at about 5 p.m. when the driver of the car lost control, struck a fence and overturned in a drainage ditch.

None of the occupants were wearing seat belts. Three were thrown from the car, Carroll said.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Police were continuing their investigation Saturday evening.