Officers to Be Out in Force for the Holiday

With Thanksgiving being one of the busiest driving days of the year in Ventura County, law enforcement officials are increasing patrols and encouraging residents to leave early, like yesterday.

“It’s always the busiest travel day,” said Ray Sandoval, a communications operator at the California Highway Patrol office in Ventura.

The Automobile Club of Southern California estimated that more than 2 million people would be on the roads this holiday weekend despite steep gas prices. In Ventura, the average cost for a gallon of unleaded was hovering at $1.83.

For people flying in and out of Ventura County, the ride on the holiday eve was mostly smooth. Airport officials said one America West flight was delayed about 30 minutes but most other flights departed and arrived on time.

To handle an increase in train ridership, Amtrak officials said they would add extra cars to the Pacific Surfliner, which runs from San Diego to San Luis Obispo.

Law enforcement officials were encouraging drivers to leave plenty of extra time to reach their destinations and to remember to buckle up.

Sandoval said the CHP’s maximum enforcement period, which started about 6 p.m. Wednesday, would last until midnight Sunday. During that time, all available officers will patrol for speeders, tired drivers and people who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Despite the warnings, the holiday eve got off to a rough start.

Three people were taken to the hospital after a morning crash in eastern Simi Valley that forced the closure of Santa Susana Pass Road, the CHP said.

Canoga Park resident Guillermo Garcia Chavez, 19, was heading west in a 1996 Ford pickup when he rounded a slight curve, drifted off the road’s south shoulder and lost control.

The car crossed the westbound lane of traffic and entered the eastbound lane sideways, where it was struck by a 1998 Ford Ranger pickup driven by Harriet Levenson, 57, of Simi Valley.

Chavez’s two passengers, Ismael Garcia, 25, and Juan Garcia, 21, were taken to Simi Valley Hospital, where they remained as of Wednesday afternoon. Chavez was not hurt.

Ismael Garcia has major head injuries and Juan Garcia has a broken leg.

Levenson was admitted to the hospital with two broken legs and a broken left arm.

The CHP believes that all were wearing seat belts, and has ruled out drugs or alcohol as a cause for the crash, said Officer Dave Webb.

The road was closed for about three hours during the investigation.

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Wolcott is a Times Community News reporter and Surman is a Times staff writer.