2 Killed, 4 Hurt When Pickup Flips Over in Antelope Valley

Two people were killed and four others injured Friday morning when they were thrown from a pickup truck that overturned on the Antelope Valley Freeway at Angeles Forest Highway, authorities said.

An 18-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene and a 20-year-old woman died three hours later at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, said California Highway Patrol Officer Richard Perez.

Both victims were riding in the bed of the 1986 Nissan pickup, Perez said. Their identities were being withheld pending family notification.

The driver of the truck, James Brown Jr., 22, of Altaloma, who was also thrown from the truck, suffered a broken leg and was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center, Perez said. Information about his condition was unavailable.

Brown was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence, Perez said.

Investigators said Brown was driving north on the Antelope Valley Freeway at a high rate of speed shortly after 9 a.m. when he lost control of the truck and it flipped over.

Two other passengers in the truck bed were injured, Perez said.

Barry Starks, 18, of Palmdale, suffered moderate injuries and was treated at Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Amire Tarkington, 18, of Palmdale, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center. No information was available on his condition.

Natasha Starks, 19, of Palmdale, who was thrown from the the cab with Brown, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Lancaster Community Hospital. She was later released, a hospital spokeswoman said.