7 DIE IN 118 PILEUP FIVE CHILDREN AMONG VICTIMS IN MINIVAN.

Byline: Eric Leach and Phillip W. Browne Staff Writers

MOORPARK - Leaving the community in shock and mourning, a violent chain-reaction collision Monday claimed the lives of seven people, including five children, who were traveling along Highway 118 in a minivan after going grocery shopping.

Three vehicles collided about 1:40 p.m. at the intersection of Los Angeles Avenue and Hitch Boulevard, which caused the maroon Toyota minivan to roll over and flatten, killing the seven occupants.

The victims included a 34-year-old man, a 42-year-old woman and the five children, two girls ages 3 months and 2 years, and three boys, ages 1, 9 and 10. Joe Luna, a spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department, said the relationship of the victims was unclear, but that the children were from two different families.

Their names were not released pending notification of relatives.

``In the 23 years of my Highway Patrol career, I've never seen a more horrible accident,'' said California Highway Patrol Capt. Cliff Williams, who oversees the east Ventura County region. ``It's extremely difficult. A horrific scene. It's the worst I've seen.''

Two other people were injured, including a man who was driving a white Ford minivan, and a woman who was behind the wheel of a blue Lincoln Continental. The man was listed in critical condition at Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks late Monday, while the woman suffered moderate injuries and was being treated at St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo, Luna said.

As word of the crash spread through the community, authorities were flooded with calls from panicked residents, wondering whether their family members were among the victims.

One woman claiming to be a relative of some of the victims arrived at the scene and collapsed in the middle of the roadway, shaking and sobbing. Williams consoled the woman and requested a Fire Department chaplain.

``This is not the place for them to be,'' Williams said of grief-stricken family and community members. ``We've had a number of inquiries from a number of families worried about their loved ones.''

Investigators with the CHP's Major Accident Investigation Team were trying to determine the chain of events that caused the deadly crash.

Initial reports indicated that the victims were driving west on Los Angeles and attempted to make a left-hand turn onto Hitch when their vehicle was rear-ended by the Lincoln, causing the Toyota to smash into the Ford van.

But investigators backed off that synopsis late Monday as they pored over the scene. Williams said they hoped to know the cause by this morning.

What they do know, however, is that the seven had been grocery shopping in Moorpark and were driving home when the collision occurred. One of the children and one of the adults were thrown from the van, while the five others died inside the vehicle, Williams said.

It was unclear whether the occupants were wearing seat belts or using child safety seats.

When firefighters arrived - despite the grim scene of bodies, a baby stroller and groceries strewn across the roadway - they used the Jaws of Life to tear off the side of the Toyota in hopes of rescuing survivors, Luna said.

``They hoped they would find someone alive,'' Luna said.

Los Angeles Avenue between Tierra Rejada Road and Somis Road remained closed late Monday, but was expected to be open for the morning commute, officials said.

While the rural, two-lane highway has gained a local reputation for being dangerous and deadly, officials downplayed that characterization. Still, the area where the collision occurred is a narrow stretch of road that had been scored and grooved for repaving.

Williams said the state of the road and all other factors will be considered in the investigation.

``We have not identified a problem at this particular intersection. At least not until today,'' Williams said. ``Although other fatalities along L.A. Avenue have occurred in the past, we don't consider this area particularly dangerous.''

Eric Leach, [phone]

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, map

Photo:

(1 -- color) Ventura County Fire Department Chaplain Larry Modugno tries to comfort a woman Monday at the scene of the deadly chain-reaction collision in Moorpark.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer

(2 -- color) Firefighters use the Jaws of Life to tear off the side of a Toyota in attempt to find survivors, but all occupants died.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer

Map:

Site of fatal collision

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