Head-On Crash Leaves 2 Seriously Injured

Two North Hollywood men were hospitalized Thursday with serious injuries following a head-on collision in Ventura County, authorities said.

The crash happened Wednesday night, and caused the Pacific Coast Highway near Tonga Street just north of the Ventura County line to be closed for four hours, said Steve Reid, California Highway Patrol spokesman.

Two helicopters and four ambulances transported five victims from the scene of the 7:15 p.m. accident, he said.

The accident occurred when a southbound car driven by Kendra Banks, 17, of Studio City, crossed two lanes of traffic while traveling around 60 mph and smashed into an oncoming car, Reid said. The lone occupant of the second vehicle, 38-year-old Ruben Ortega of Oxnard, was treated for minor injuries at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard before being released.

But Banks and three North Hollywood residents in her car suffered serious injuries.

Douge McQueen, 23, was in serious condition at UCLA Medical Center’s intensive care unit with a spinal injury and fractures to his pelvis and right leg, a hospital spokesman said. Michael Hynes, 18, was in critical condition in Los Robles Regional Medical Center’s intensive care unit, a spokeswoman said. Rachelle Bilson, 14, and Banks were listed in good condition at St. John’s.