Burbank girl dies in crash

Ben Godar

An 8-year- old Burbank girl was killed early Monday morning when her

mother fell asleep at the wheel of her car and crashed into a center

divider, CHP officials said.

The crash occurred about 4 a.m. on the southbound Golden State

(5) Freeway in Sun Valley. Debra Spratt, a 33-year-old Burbank woman,

told officers she fell asleep and veered into the center divider, and

then swerved back across all lanes before coming to rest on the

shoulder, CHP Officer Vince Bell said.

Spratt’s 8-year-old daughter, who was lying down on the back seat

asleep, was ejected from the car and suffered severe head injuries.

Paramedics pronounced the girl dead at the scene.

“There was no seat belt or restraint at all,” Bell said. “If she

had a seat belt on, she would be alive.”

Spratt, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered only minor injuries

in the crash, Bell said.

All passengers in a vehicle are required by law to wear a

restraint, but Bell said no fines or charges are expected to be filed

in connection with the crash.

“I think she’s suffered more than enough,” he said.