2 Boys Hurt After Car Spins, Hits Pole

A car spinning out of control plowed into a utility pole along Royal Avenue on Thursday evening, sending the teenage driver and his passenger to the hospital.

Dustin Fleming, 16, and his passenger, Justin Yarnell, 15, both of Simi Valley, were in stable condition when taken from the scene by ambulance.

Authorities did not immediately know the cause of the crash, although they did not believe alcohol was involved. The location--just west of the intersection with Olympic Street and near a southerly bend in Royal Avenue--has been the site of several recent accidents, said Ventura County Firefighter Tony Orozco.

“I think people are just coming around that curve a little too fast,” he said.

Thursday’s crash at about 7:10 p.m. shut down Royal Avenue for 90 minutes. The brown Hyundai was traveling west on Royal when it spun and hit the pole, shearing off the pole at its base. The car struck a second utility pole, which cracked and buckled but did not fall.

Firefighters cut off the crumpled car’s roof to remove the occupants. Dustin suffered cuts to his legs, neck and face and a possible broken jaw, police said. Justin has possible internal injuries, but further information was unavailable from Simi Valley Hospital.