Woman Killed in Freeway Crash; Alcohol Suspected

A 24-year-old woman who was not wearing a seat belt died after the car she was riding in veered off the Ventura Freeway and tumbled down an embankment, authorities said Saturday.

Another passenger and the driver, who police say was drunk, were wearing their seat belts and survived.

The victim, an out-of-state resident whose identity was withheld pending notification of family members, suffered a head wound and was pronounced dead at the scene by city firefighters,

The driver of the car, Christine A. Carter, 28, of Sherman Oaks, was eastbound on the freeway Friday night when she lost control of the Volkswagen sedan, said California Highway Patrol Officer Karen Faciane.

“Due to her level of intoxication, she allowed the vehicle to drift off the roadway just west of Topanga Canyon Boulevard,” Faciane said.

The car crashed into a tree and headed down an embankment. The victim and Carter were trapped in the wreckage and were extricated by firefighters.

A second passenger riding in the front seat was able to walk away from the crash with moderate injuries, Faciane said. CHP officers had no further details on the passenger.

Carter was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center and treated for moderate injuries, Faciane said. She was later transferred to the Twin Towers jail in downtown Los Angeles, where she was booked on suspicion of drunk driving, Faciane said.