Van Nuys Woman, 3 Others Die in Crash

A 21-year-old Van Nuys woman, a 5-year-old boy and two Los Angeles residents were killed after a rollover traffic accident west of here Sunday.

Three children, 10- and 11-year-old boys and a 6-year-old girl, remained hospitalized Monday at University Medical Center in Las Vegas. The 11-year-old and 6-year-old, both of Los Angeles, were in serious to critical condition, while the condition of the 10-year-old, of Van Nuys, was upgraded to fair, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Authorities did not release their names.

They were among nine family members returning Sunday afternoon from a weekend camping trip to Lake Havasu, said California Highway Patrol Officer M.O. Baker.

Their 1997 Nissan Quest minivan rolled shortly before 2 p.m. as it headed west along Interstate 40 about 50 miles west of Needles. The van’s rated capacity is seven occupants.

The driver, 41-year-old Delmy Marin of Los Angeles, apparently lost control of the van and overcorrected when it slipped off the road, Baker said.

Officers suspect she may have become drowsy, but their investigation will continue for several weeks, he said.

Marin, who received minor injuries, was one of only two people in the van wearing a seat belt, Baker said.

The other, Medardo Marin, 77, died at the scene. The other three people who died were:

* Leonor Brizulea, 48, of Los Angeles, who was dead at the scene.

* Jasmine Brizulea, 21, of Van Nuys, who was ejected and died Sunday evening at University Medical Center.

* A 5-year-old boy who was ejected and died at the scene. His name was not released.

The driver’s son, Melvin Marin, 20, of Los Angeles, suffered minor injuries.