Nanny Dies When Car Slams Into Pole

A 20-year-old Oxnard woman was killed when the car she was riding in slammed into a traffic-light pole, authorities said Friday.

Veronica Melgarejo died from head and chest injuries in the Thursday night crash at Ventura Road and Devonshire Drive, said James Baroni, a Ventura County deputy coroner.

The car’s driver, Melgarejo’s boyfriend, Floriberto Gomez, 24, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Oxnard Policeman Joe Kaniewski said.

Gomez was transferred to Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura and was in good condition Friday night, a nursing supervisor said.

Police officials said he is being investigated for possibly driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The crash occurred about 8:45 p.m., minutes after Gomez had picked up Melgarejo from her job as a live-in nanny at an Oxnard home. Gomez was driving his 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass south on Ventura Road when he drifted off the roadway and slammed into the pole, Baroni said.

The car’s seat belts had been removed, Baroni said.

“There weren’t any restraints to be worn,” he added.

Melgarejo is survived by her parents, Jose and Maria Melgarejo of Oxnard, and two brothers. Garcia Mortuary in Oxnard is handling the funeral arrangements, Baroni said.