Truck Hits Mom, 2 Kids; Infant Dies

A semitrailer truck struck a mother and two small daughters apparently crossing an intersection illegally Thursday--killing a year-old infant, who was dragged in her stroller about 20 feet, according to authorities.

The older girl was flown to Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles in serious condition, said Jim Wells, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The mother suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to Columbia-West Hills Medical Center.

The dead girl was identified by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office as Jeanette Garcia of Canoga Park. Police identified the mother as Maria Elena Garcia, 31. The surviving child was identified as Michele Garcia, 5.

No charges were expected against the driver--whose name also was not released--said Sgt. Ronald Leanderts, of the LAPD Valley Traffic Division.

According to witnesses, Leanderts said, it appeared the truck driver was making a legal turn and “the truck was already in its turn when [the family] left the sidewalk” after the don’t-walk signal had begun to flash.

The accident occurred about 3:20 p.m. at the intersection of Topanga Canyon and Roscoe boulevards, according to authorities. The family, walking east on Roscoe, was attempting to cross Topanga Canyon. The truck was also eastbound on Roscoe and turning south onto Topanga Canyon.

Witnesses told police the woman rushed into the intersection pushing the stroller, with the other daughter walking alongside, Leanderts said.

The woman and older child were at a full run by the time they got to the middle of the intersection, according to police. Startled as she saw the truck approach, the woman let go of the stroller, Leanderts said.

Bystanders were horrified when they saw the stroller disappear under the truck.

“Believe me--I was shocked,” said Suraya Navi. “I screamed.”

Said 10-year-old Anthony Calderon: “The stroller was dragging like that--under the wheel.”

Anthony said the woman and her older daughter fell back as they were also hit. “She couldn’t get up,” he said of the mother.

The driver appeared stunned as he sat for several seconds inside the truck’s cab, Anthony said.

The father of the baby, learning of the accident, arrived and watched from the back of a patrol car as a tow truck lifted the semi so coroner’s aides could reach the girl’s body.