By Redaccion
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A high-speed pursuit in the city of Camarillo late Saturday night resulted in a serious solo vehicle collision on the northbound US-101 freeway at Carmen Drive.
The crash left both the driver and passenger injured and led to a full closure of the freeway throughout the morning hours as authorities investigated the scene.
The incident began on September 21, 2024, at approximately 11:42 p.m., when deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office were called to investigate a theft at a CVS store located on the 300 block of Carmen Drive in Camarillo. The suspects had reportedly stolen alcohol and other products just moments before.
Shortly after midnight, at around 12:02 a.m. on September 22, a sheriff’s sergeant spotted a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s car traveling on Arneill Road near Barry Street. The vehicle was driving without headlights, a violation of California Vehicle Code 24250, which mandates that vehicles must use headlights during darkness.
The sergeant initiated a traffic stop, but the vehicle failed to yield immediately. The sergeant suspected that the driver might be under the influence due to the erratic behavior—driving without headlights and initially failing to stop. The vehicle briefly came to a halt at Barry Street and Lewis Road, but then fled the scene at high speed, prompting the sergeant to initiate a pursuit.
With emergency lights and sirens activated, the sergeant followed the fleeing vehicle through southbound Lewis Road and westbound Daily Drive before the suspect vehicle entered the northbound lanes of the US-101 freeway. During the chase, the driver of the suspect vehicle reached dangerously high speeds in an attempt to evade capture.
The pursuit took a dangerous turn when the driver lost control of the vehicle north of Carmen Drive. The car collided with the center median guardrail, causing it to flip and roll multiple times. The vehicle came to a stop after several rolls, and it was the only car involved in the crash.
Emergency personnel responded quickly to the scene. One passenger managed to climb out of the overturned vehicle and surrendered to deputies without further incident. The driver, however, was found outside the vehicle, having been ejected during the crash. He sustained critical injuries. Both the driver and the passenger were identified as 17-year-old male juveniles.
Ventura County deputies provided immediate medical aid to both teenagers while awaiting the arrival of the Ventura County Fire Department and American Medical Response (AMR) units. The passenger, who sustained less severe injuries, was treated at Ventura County Medical Center and released. The driver was transferred to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where he remains in critical condition.
The collision occurred within the jurisdiction of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and CHP investigators were called to the scene to assist with the investigation. The northbound lanes of the US-101 remained closed for several hours as investigators worked to determine the cause of the crash. The freeway was reopened just before 6:00 a.m.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and authorities are asking for the public’s help. Anyone who may have witnessed the pursuit or the collision is urged to come forward. Those with information can contact Detective Riordan of the Camarillo Investigations Unit at the number listed below.
The crash marks yet another incident involving young drivers and high-speed pursuits, which remain a significant concern for law enforcement agencies across California. In recent years, police departments have been emphasizing the importance of caution during traffic stops, particularly when dealing with juveniles or suspected impaired drivers. High-speed chases pose a serious risk not only to the individuals involved but also to the general public, as these pursuits often occur on busy roads or highways.
This incident also highlights the increasing trend of juveniles being involved in both petty and serious crimes, such as theft, DUI, and reckless driving. Law enforcement officials are urging parents and guardians to be more vigilant about their children’s behavior and to instill a sense of responsibility when it comes to driving and obeying traffic laws.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol have not yet released further details about the exact causes of the crash or whether any additional charges will be filed against the two juveniles involved. It is unclear if the driver was under the influence at the time of the incident, but toxicology reports are pending, and investigators will likely take that into account as part of their inquiry.
This case also serves as a reminder of the importance of safe driving practices and the potential consequences of reckless behavior behind the wheel. Both local and state law enforcement agencies continue to emphasize that fleeing from police is not only dangerous but also carries severe legal consequences. High-speed pursuits can quickly spiral out of control, leading to devastating outcomes like the one seen in this Camarillo incident.
As the investigation continues, authorities are asking the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity that could help prevent similar incidents in the future.
