Woman Dies, 7 Hurt as Van Veers Off Freeway

A woman was killed and seven other people were injured Monday morning when a van veered out of control on the San Diego Freeway in Van Nuys and crashed, the California Highway Patrol reported. Six of the injured were children.

The accident occurred at 3:15 a.m. near the Victory Boulevard off-ramp, CHP Officer Ken Arguelles said. The victims were members of two Sacramento families on their way to San Diego.

The van drifted off the southbound freeway lanes, hit a guardrail and crashed into a light pole and a tree, Arguelles said. The accident forced the closure of the ramp for about 90 minutes, the CHP said.

None of the victims’ names were released Monday because investigators could not locate relatives in Sacramento, Arguelles said.

A 35-year-old woman was killed in the accident, Arguelles said. A 41-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy were critically wounded and airlifted to UCLA Medical Center. Two girls, ages 13 and 11, and a 7-year-old boy suffered moderate to serious injuries and were being treated at Valley Presbyterian Hospital. Two other girls, ages 1 and 16, suffered moderate injuries and were being treated at Northridge Hospital Medical Center.

None of the victims were wearing seat belts, the CHP said. The 1-year-old girl was in a child seat, but it was not secured to the car. Arguelles said officers had not determined who was driving the van. The accident was still under investigation.