Woman Hurt in Car Crash Has Surgery

LOMPOC —  As authorities worked long hours collecting clues to the cause of a fiery highway crash that killed 11 people, a survivor from Canoga Park underwent more than three hours of surgery Thursday to repair her injuries.

Rosa Hernandez, 47, remained in critical condition at the Grossmont Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital after the surgery.

Hernandez suffered second- and third-degree burns over 30% of her body, including her abdomen, back, thighs and arms. Doctors worked for 3 hours and 15 minutes Thursday removing burned tissue and repairing two broken bones in Hernandez’s forearm.

Meanwhile, California Highway Patrol investigators continued to comb the scene for clues to the cause of the crash, which left a van and pickup truck crumpled and burned to black hulks.

“According to the preliminary investigation, it appears that the pickup went over the double yellow line and hit the van,” CHP Sgt. Ben Ruth said.

It was unknown whether drugs or alcohol played a part in the crash. Toxicology tests on both deceased drivers are expected to be completed Friday, Everly said.

The crash occurred about 10 p.m. Tuesday on California 1 near Lompoc. A Ford pickup truck slammed into a Chevrolet van. Eight of the 12 people in the van were killed. All three people in the truck were killed.

Authorities believed that the van’s occupants--many of them Mexican immigrants--had spent the day selling roasted corn in Lompoc.

Two people in the pickup truck were identified Thursday as Michael Anthony Bucci, 42, and his girlfriend, Charlotte Gwynn Wright, 29, both of Lompoc.

Among survivors is Poli Hererra, 20, who suffered only scratches and was released Wednesday from Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital. David Perez, 31, is being treated for internal injuries at Lompoc District Hospital and a man whose name was not released is being treated for massive head injuries at the Goleta hospital.

Hadly is a Times staff writer; Vitucci is a correspondent.