Almost Independence Day

As 20-month-old Tucker Robertson bounced around to Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration,” decked out in his best red-white-and-blue outfit Monday, he probably had no idea it wasn’t the Fourth of July.

And while those with a few years on Tucker did know the difference, they didn’t seem to care.

“I think it’s actually pretty smart, because there are so many other things going on on the Fourth,” said Somis resident Melinda Burrows, one of thousands who flocked to Moorpark’s Arroyo Vista Park for the city’s “Third of July” festival and fireworks show.

“It’s cool, because it’s two times the fun,” said Jeff Hazlewood, 12, of Thousand Oaks.

The reason behind Moorpark’s odd tradition is as American as Independence Day: capitalism.

Since 1995, Moorpark officials have held festivities on July 3, because they found it was much cheaper to put on the afternoon festival and sizable fireworks display. Booking companies on a day with far less demand for fireworks shows saves the city as much as $11,000 each year.

“We wanted to celebrate the holiday with a fireworks show, but didn’t have the resources,” said Councilman Chris Evans. “We get great fireworks displays--probably the best in the county--for substantially less money.”

Even with the cost savings, Moorpark canceled last year’s event, because the city didn’t have enough money. That motivated Councilman John Wozniak and others to raise funds to make sure this year’s event happened. They collected about $37,000 from donations and corporate sponsors, allowing them to expand the event and still have a few thousand dollars left for next year.

“We sat down and decided: If we’re going to do it this year, we’ve got to make it better and come back with a bang, so to speak,” Wozniak said.

New this year were more games, a red-wagon parade and--though not quite as festive--a $1 admission charge. But most “Third of July” revelers said they didn’t mind the small fee, and the extra money helped pay for two bands and a beefed-up fireworks show, said Mary Lindley, director of community services.

Moorpark recreation coordinator Stephanie Shaw estimated that 10,000 people attended the event.

As Moorpark celebrated, authorities across the county braced themselves for holiday revelers. The California Highway Patrol deployed extra officers, who were on the lookout for drunk drivers during the long holiday weekend.

By Monday, authorities said suspected drunk drivers were responsible for two accidents, one that left a Camarillo teenager with moderate injuries and the other in which a Simi Valley boy was killed.

According to the highway patrol, Adam Martinez, 21, of Camarillo was under the influence of alcohol as he drove two 17-year-old friends north along the Pacific Coast Highway just before 2:30 a.m. Monday.

CHP Officer David Webb said Martinez ran his car off the west embankment over the rocks below and landed partially in the ocean. One passenger, Lauren Butterworth of Camarillo, was thrown from the car as it barreled down the hill. She landed in the water.

After arriving on scene, Officer Kevin Craig jumped into the ocean and pulled Butterworth to shore. Officer Chrissy Raughton helped Martinez and passenger Heather Martin, 17, of Camarillo, climb to safety.

All three were taken to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, where Butterworth was treated for a broken right femur and several cuts and bruises. Martin suffered minor injuries. Martinez was taken into custody at the hospital on suspicion of driving under the influence, Webb said.

That accident follows the Saturday evening crash that killed 8-year-old Cameron Cheung. Officers said the boy was riding his bicycle in the 2500 block of Morley Street about 8 p.m., when a car driven by Pedro Zamora of Simi Valley struck him. The boy, who was not wearing a helmet, died at the scene.

Zamora left the accident but later returned and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and hit-and-run, authorities said.

CHP officers also arrested a man Monday afternoon after a high-speed pursuit down Highway 101 from Santa Barbara to Ventura. Officers said they tried to pull over a speeding red Mitsubishi Eclipse just after 10 a.m. Driver James Torfason, 21, refused to stop and led authorities on a pursuit that reached speeds above 100 mph, authorities said.

“He was driving very recklessly,” Webb said. “He almost collided into others several times.”

But the holiday aided authorities in their pursuit, Webb said. The roadways were clearer than usual, because many people had the day off and did their weekend getaway traveling Friday or Saturday.

The chase stretched to Telephone Road, where Torfason ran over a spike strip that flattened two right tires. He exited down the onramp at Johnson Avenue and continued speeding along surface streets until he crashed into a concrete abutment on Victoria Avenue, authorities said. Torfason, who reportedly had drugs and drug paraphernalia in the car, was arrested at the scene.

Torfason is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail in Ventura County Jail on suspicion of a host of charges, including evading authorities, possession of a controlled substance and driving under the influence.

Meanwhile, sunny skies are expected for the holiday in Ventura County today. Morning fog will burn off by midmorning, leaving warm beach temperatures that could reach the high 70s, said Chris Mello, meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

Inland temperatures will be even warmer, reaching between the high 80s and low 90s.