Rains Trigger Flurry of Traffic Accidents

A Friday morning crash on the Ventura Freeway that injured three people was among nearly 100 on Ventura County freeways the past two days, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Most occurred because of drivers’ inattention to slick roads during the season’s first substantial rainfall, CHP Officer Dave Webb said.

“People just need to slow down when it rains,” he said.

At 6:30 a.m. Friday, Janine Bronson, 43, of Los Angeles, lost control of her car on the southbound Ventura Freeway, crossed a dirt center divider and was struck by a car going north.

The driver of the northbound car, Ralph Benham, 66, of Ventura, told the CHP he never saw the woman’s car. Bronson, Benham and a passenger in Benham’s car, Roger Nelson, 65, also from Ventura, were taken to Ventura County Medical Center.

Bronson suffered head injuries and a broken pelvis, shoulder and ribs. Benham has two broken legs, Webb said. Nelson was listed in stable condition.

The collision backed up traffic for four miles.

About 20 of the collisions in the two-day period were injury accidents, Webb said.

The roads are expected to dry out today and Sunday, but more rain is expected Sunday afternoon.

The skies should be partly cloudy across Ventura County today with temperatures in the 60s during the day and dipping into the 40s at night.

On Sunday there is a 50% chance of rain, said a spokeswoman for the National Weather Service.