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Authorities identify mother, son killed in head-on crash
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James Glover II / Star staff CHP Officers Todd Wonders, left, and David Ness investigate the scene of a fatal head-on collision on Pleasant Valley Road near Oxnard on Wednesday.
James Glover II / Star staff Deputy Medical Examiner Michael Tellez takes photos at the scene of a crash that killed a woman and child Wednesday on Pleasant Valley Road.
James Glover II / Star staff CHP Officers Todd Wonders, left, and David Ness investigate the scene of a fatal head-on collision on Pleasant Valley Road near Oxnard on Wednesday.
Video: Two die in head-on collision
A woman and baby were killed during a head-on collision on Pleasant Valley Road near Oxnard.
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More from CamarilloAuthorities this morning identified the young woman and child who were killed in a head-on crash outside Oxnard Wednesday afternoon.
Armida Sanchez, 21, of Simi Valley, and her three-month-old son, Adrian Salgado, were killed when the sedan Sanchez was driving crashed into a pickup truck, said Michael Tellez, a deputy Ventura County Medical Examiner.
The crash occurred just before 3 p.m. on Pleasant Valley Road east of Laguna Road, said Officer Mike Untalan, a spokesman for the CHP.
Sanchez was pronounced dead at the scene. Her son, who was in a car seat in the back of the vehicle, was pronounced dead later at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard.
The driver of the pickup truck, Jose Martinez Barco, and his passenger, Jesus Chavez Valencia, both 46-year-old Oxnard residents, were taken to St. John's with minor injuries, Untalan said.
The pickup caught fire after the crash, but both men were able to get out before flames engulfed the vehicle.
CHP investigators were working Wednesday afternoon to determine what caused the crash, Untalan said.
A preliminary investigation indicated the sedan was heading eastbound when it drifted into the westbound lane and collided with the pickup, Untalan said.
There was no immediate indication that either alcohol or drugs was involved.
Ivan Mangan was driving west on Pleasant Valley on his way home from work in Camarillo when he saw the silver sedan spinning in the road in front of him, he said. He stopped and went to help the occupants.
As Barco got out of his vehicle, Mangan heard him ask what had happened, Mangan said.
Mangan grabbed a sledgehammer and a pry bar from his vehicle and helped a law enforcement officer already on scene open the sedan's door and get the baby out, he said. The CHP officer then began performing CPR on the child, Untalan said.
Mangan helped pull Sanchez from the car, but it was obvious she was already dead, he said.
Neither Sanchez nor her son was breathing when firefighters arrived, said Capt. Barry Parker of the Ventura County Fire Department. Firefighters continued giving medical aid to the crash victims, and extinguished the fire in the pickup, Parker said.
Mangan was visibly shaken as he described the aftermath of the crash, after learning that the baby had died in the hospital.
"I just feel sorry for the family," he said as he sat in his car, preparing to leave the scene. "I wish I could have done more."
The front ends of both vehicles were mangled by the impact of the crash, and debris was strewn across the roadway.
A section of Pleasant Valley Road near the crash site was closed in both directions after the collision.
The roadway had been expected to remain closed from Wolff Road outside Camarillo to Laguna Road for about five hours, authorities said.
Posted by daniel.acosta on June 19, 2008 at 6:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is so sad, I couldn't even imagine. My condolences go out to the family of the woman and baby. Your familys in my prayers.
Posted by wynonarose on June 19, 2008 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh man! This is so sad. The roadway there is narrow and if the sedan's driver was distracted for such a split second it is certainly possible that her car drifted into the other lane.
Will have to wait for the complete investigation. That's a pretty busy stretch so I'm sure there are witnesses.
My condolences to the family of the woman. Also to the two gentlemen in the truck. What an awful thing to have happen. These men may have had minor injuries, but I can imagine they are going to be affected emotionally for many years.
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on June 19, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How terrible - I know this is a grim way to look at this, but, at least mother and child are still together and one doesnt have to greive the other for the rest of their lives.
Prayers to the family-
Posted by janabanana71 on June 19, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Really sad.
Posted by slkrchck on June 19, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hueneme_girl29.....i was thinking the same thing. i hope that will be of some comfort to the grieving family. heartfelt condolences to the families and friends. this is tragic.
Posted by swtnsassy on June 19, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
May God Bless all involved & their families, mother & baby, 2 men in the truck & all those who helped witnesses medical personel, and law enforcement. You are all in my prayers...
Posted by butterfly805 on June 19, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Friend...i have no words to explain how i feel! How could of this happend?? I had just talked to you....
Why did you and the baby have to go so soon....God sure works in mysterious ways, with no explanation at all. Now both of you are in heaven looking down on ur precious little girl and Alex.
Im going to miss you friend and our memories will last forever....
My condolences to Alex and all the family!
Alma
Posted by Erica on June 19, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Armida you were taken from us to be in a better place but you have left your family and friends and your baby girl and Alex. We promise to help take care of them. We will always love you and you will forever be in our hearts. May you and your son now Rest In Peace.
Posted by rbmg on June 19, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Armida? Armida what? Of Oxnard?
Posted by queenmajestics805 on June 19, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Armida may you and your son rest in peace. You are in a better place now and may God watch over your baby girl, Alex, your family and all of your friends. We will miss you!!
Posted by tinacristy01 on June 19, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My condolence to the Salgado Family and Chelo. My prayers are with you.
Posted by spulido805 on June 19, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow what a terrible tragic accident, but to the friends and family members of this young lady and her son just remember that she is just one step behind you all watching your step making sure you don't fall. GOD bless you all at this time of need. GOD SPEED!!!!!
Posted by alovebug06 on June 19, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends during this tragic loss. Heaven has two new angels that are loved so much...
Posted by alovebug06 on June 19, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends during this tragic loss. Heaven has two new angels that are loved so much...
Posted by alovebug06 on June 19, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends during this tragic loss. Heaven has two new angels that are loved so much...
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on June 19, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bear22- the article says
"Armida Sanchez, 21, of Simi Valley"
Posted by estrellanavarrete on June 19, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is one thing to lose a family member due to illness or age... but this has been a total shock, one that I don't think has set in as reality for me just yet. I remember meeting Armida years ago and becoming good friends before she met and fell in love with my cousin Alex. They had two beautiful children, one that has now left us along with Armida. I am in total loss of words. I know that my Salgado family will be there for Alex and help him get through this and raise their little girl to be a good, happy person. I am so sad and shocked. I don't know what to feel. This is a hard time for the Salgado and Sanchez families and all prayers for strength, peace and guidance are greatly appreciated. God bless you.
Estrella Salgado Navarrete-Castillo
Posted by getreal on June 19, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a horrible, horrible accident. My thoughts and prayers go out to this family.
Posted by noonespecial on June 19, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My condolences to Armida and Adrian's family. You are in my thoughts.
Posted by noonespecial on June 19, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My condolences to Armida and Adrian's family. You are in my thoughts.
Posted by GitRdone on June 19, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GOD BLESS ALL FAMILIES INVOLVED, & ESPECIALLY THE BABY'S SIBLING & FATHER.
Posted by butterflygone on June 19, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is so sad. My prayers to the family.
Posted by BeaHappi on June 19, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How very sad.
My most sincere condolences to the family and friends.
Posted by imonlysayin on June 19, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh my...this is so awful. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone - especially the woman's significant other and the other child :-( SO sad.
Posted by lilmamma on June 19, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My prayers and thoughts are with the family. This is a sad sad tragedy.I will keep the significant other in my prayers as he raises a little girl on his own without her wonderful mother.
Posted by frkybhvr on June 19, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
my thoughts and prayers go out to you alex and your familia as well as hers.this is a very sad and hard time for you homie and i know with all of your familia and friends you will get thru this.be strong for your lil girl alex and may your loved ones rest in peace. r.flores
Posted by keepin_it_real on June 19, 2008 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, what a terrible tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this young lady and her baby boy. May you both rest in peace.
Posted by julianAvallejo on June 19, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
my respects to both families and may god give you the strenght to pull tru this take care of ur baby girl now alex...
julian vallejo
Posted by speakingout on June 21, 2008 at 2:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a terrible loss. My condolences go out the family. Stay strong as your two angels will always be with you.
Posted by zscuba_8e on June 21, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TRAGIC.
Now I wonder what caused the drift over?? A cell phone, a radio change, child issues?
When you get behind the wheel you have to be 100% focused, especially on some of these 2 lane roads. Tight quarters to dive on.
Tragic events.
Posted by rbmg on June 24, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yani_chingas
The article wasn't updated when I poasted. It was updated within minutes after. I take this road two times a day and while on my way home from work I seen the road I usually take blocked off. As a new mother of a 5 month old little girl I am at lost of words for this terrible tragic accident. This is so sad heart breaking for everyone. My deepest condolences to all.
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