Six, Including Baby, Are Hurt When SUV Rolls Over on I-5

Three Fresno women and three children were injured Friday when their sport utility vehicle rolled over on the Golden State Freeway in Castaic, ejecting two of the women and a baby, officials said.

The ejected child was a 5-month-old boy riding unrestrained on his mother’s lap in the rear seat. He suffered a fractured skull and was in serious but stable condition late Friday at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. The others were being treated for moderate injuries at area hospitals.

The California Highway Patrol closed all southbound freeway lanes after the 1 p.m. accident near Lake Hughes Road, backing up traffic through the Grapevine for several miles. All lanes were reopened about 3 p.m.

Officials said Tonya Jordan, 35, was driving south in a Ford Explorer at roughly 60 mph when she drifted into the center median, swerved and lost control of the vehicle. The SUV overturned, ejecting front passenger Sherrie Turner, 58, and rear passenger Treasure Scott, 24.

Scott was holding her baby son in her arms as she was thrown from the car, CHP Sgt. Mark Fields said.

A 2-year-old girl who was riding in a child safety seat, and a 5-year-old boy who was not, also were injured. State law requires that children ride in car seats until they are 6 years old or weigh 60 pounds, Fields said.

CHP investigators had not determined if another vehicle was involved or whether they would seek charges against Jordan or Scott for failing to properly restrain two of the children, Fields said.

Witnesses to the accident are asked to call the CHP Newhall office at (661) 294-5540.