Two Killed as Car, Tractor Collide in Newbury Park

Two people were killed and two others injured when a car drifted off the road and crashed into construction equipment Monday night in Newbury Park.

According to reports from the Ventura County Fire Department, the accident took place at around 11:30 p.m. on West Potrero Road near the intersection of Hidden Valley Road, where a late-model Infiniti sedan failed to negotiate a turn, causing the vehicle to drift onto the outer dirt shoulder where it struck several pieces of construction equipment gathered on the side of the road, including a large tractor, inflicting major damages to the vehicle.

Two of the four passengers aboard the vehicle, 26 year old Michael Hatcher and 23 year old Aimee Hoff, were declared dead at the scene by responding paramedics. Another unidentified passenger suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks.

The driver of the Infiniti, 23 year old Collin Powell of Newbury Park, also suffered minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital. Upon his release, he was arrested by local police on suspicion of felony driving under the influence of alcohol. A further investigation into the accident is also to be performed by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, which could add further charges against Powell, including vehicular manslaughter.

Following the accident, police shut down both directions of Potrero Road for more than four hours to allow for extensive cleanup and a careful examination of the scene. The vehicle involved caught fire after the collision, and it was reduced to a smoldering pile of metal, with its make and model unrecognizable. According to police, all four passengers were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident, and speed is also believed to be a contributing factor.

Anyone with additional information about the crash is being encouraged to contact the California Highway Patrol to assist with their investigation.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident involving a driver under the influence of alcohol or speed, there are legal protections available to you to help you get back on your feet. With the help of a Los Angeles car accident attorney, compensation can be recovered from those at fault to cover costs like automobile repairs, medical bills, physical therapy, and more. This compensation can even be used to replace wages lost from time spent away from work.

At AA Accident Attorneys, we will work to get you everything that you rightfully deserve. We will guide you through the legal process, and get you onto the road to recovery as quickly as possible. As always, we will not charge you for any of our legal services until your case is won. Call us today for more information about the kinds of services we can offer you, and for a free evaluation to discuss what rights you have in the wake of an accident.