Man Sentenced Over Child’s Death in Crash

A man who tried to flee the scene of a traffic accident on the Ventura Freeway that killed one child and injured another last year was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter in Van Nuys Municipal Court.

Jason Scott Barnett, 23, of Canoga Park, was sentenced to nine months in jail and 400 hours of work for Caltrans by Judge Michelle Rosenblatt, who ordered Barnett to surrender Monday to begin serving his sentence, according to Los Angeles City Atty. Jim Hahn.

Barnett was found guilty of one count of reckless driving and vehicular manslaughter in the Oct. 14 accident. He caused the accident by weaving in and out of traffic on the eastbound Ventura Freeway near De Soto Avenue, according to the city attorney. Other drivers at the scene said Barnett was darting through traffic when he cut in front of a Honda and then in front of a Toyota pickup truck, causing both drivers to lose control of their vehicles.

The Honda was able to pull to the side of the freeway, but the truck flew in the air and rolled through the center divider, landing on the other side of the freeway, according to officials. Two children who were riding in the cab of the truck were ejected. One child died and the other was injured. Their father, who was driving, was also injured in the crash, authorities said.

In addition to jail time, Barnett was placed on three years’ probation and ordered to pay restitution to the victims’ families for funeral and medical expenses. Judge Rosenblatt also revoked Barnett’s driver’s license for one year.

A hearing in July will determine the amount of restitution Barnett will be required to pay the families, the city attorney said.