[10-31-2024] Ventura County, CA – Two Killed, Two Others Injured After Crash Involving Parked Big Rig on Highway 101

Two people were killed and two others injured in a crash involving a parked big rig on southbound Highway 101 in Newbury Park, Ventura County, on Thursday morning, October 31, 2024.

As reported by the California Highway Patrol, the incident occurred shortly before 5:30 a.m. near Wendy Drive, according to Officer Ryan Ayers of the CHP’s Moorpark office. 

Authorities stated that a black Honda Civic carrying four people, which had been observed driving at high speeds, collided with the rear of a semitrailer that was parked on the right shoulder. 

The Honda was reportedly in the left lane of the Wendy Drive exit but failed to negotiate the turn, continuing straight onto the shoulder where the semi was parked in dark conditions.

Two occupants of the Honda were ejected from the vehicle during the collision. Ventura County firefighters reported finding the scene with one person pinned under the vehicle and another ejected.

All four occupants of the Honda were around 19 or 20 years old and believed to be from Los Angeles County. The two individuals who were thrown from the car, a man and a woman, were declared dead at the scene. The remaining two passengers were extricated from the wreckage and transported to Los Robles Regional Medical Center, where they are expected to survive.

As of 9 a.m., CHP investigators remained on the scene, while southbound lanes and freeway ramps near the crash site remained open, although traffic had backed up along that stretch. 

The investigation is ongoing.