3 Killed, 11 Injured as Packed Van Is Hit : Accident: Most of the victims were on their way to a wedding. The driver of a car apparently ran a red light at a busy intersection, authorities said.
WINNETKA — Three people died and 11 others were injured Saturday, apparently when a car ran a red light and smashed into a crowded van of family and friends on their way to a wedding, police said.
Two women and a 5-year-old girl died in the accident at Saticoy Street and Mason Avenue, police said. Those transported to hospitals included the 55-year-old woman driving the car, who was its sole occupant, authorities said.
Witnesses said they watched in horror as the force of the collision ejected several of the van’s occupants after it veered into a street light and then flipped over.
“The van just rolled and rolled, and people flew everywhere,†said Tahl Beckman, 26, who was driving home when the accident occurred just after 2 p.m.
At Northridge Hospital Medical Center, Adan Martinez of Reseda waited for news about his wife and children, who, he said, had been on their way to a friend’s wedding.
Martinez said the van’s occupants included his two daughters and wife, the driver of the vehicle, as well as his grandmother, two sisters-in-law, and cousins.
The van was packed with as many as 13 people, although it was designed to seat seven, said Sgt. John Amott of the LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division. Most of the occupants were not wearing seat belts, he added.
“You pack everyone in a van like that, and it’s an invitation for disaster,†Amott said at the scene. He said a white Toyota had run the light.
Several motorists who witnessed the accident jumped from their cars and ran to assist the injured, who lay scattered on the street.
“We tried to help the little kids,†said Rick Lombard, one of those who helped. “The one that died looked about 3 years old. We tried to get her to breathe again, she started breathing, and then the paramedics got there, and she stopped again.
“It was incredible,†he added. “We didn’t even hear any brakes.â€
Neighbors and police said the corner is the site of frequent collisions.
“There are always people speeding and running through the red lights here,†Amott said. “It’s a wide-open street, and when you’re going 60 m.p.h., you’re not even aware of the speed.â€
Although authorities would not release victims’ names until relatives are notified, they described their ages and conditions.
The 5-year-old girl and the two women, 19 and 20, died at the scene.
Among those injured:
A 1-year-old girl was in extremely critical condition at Northridge Hospital Medical Center.
Also at the Northridge hospital was the 55-year-old woman, in serious condition, an 8-year-old boy in moderately serious condition and a 42-year-old woman with minor injuries.
Two girls, 4 and 2, were airlifted to Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and are in serious condition.
A 26-year-old woman was in serious condition at West Hills Regional Medical Center.
Two girls, 9 and 10, were airlifted to UCLA Medical Center with moderate injuries.
And a 62-year-old woman was treated for minor injuries at the West Hills hospital.
Neither driver was cited Saturday as police continued to investigate the cause of the accident.
Times staff writer Abigail Goldman contributed to this report.
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