BRIEFLY.

Teenager killed in freeway crash

VALLEY VILLAGE - A teenager died in a crash early Saturday on the southbound Hollywood Freeway, authorities said.

The victim was identified as 18-year-old Blanca Garcia of Arleta.

The accident was reported around 5:15 a.m. Saturday just south of Riverside Drive, CHP officials said.

Further details were not available.

- Daily News

Blaze damages retail properties

PORTER RANCH - An early-morning fire caused $40,000 in damage to a commercial building containing a cellular telephone marketing firm, a Mexican restaurant and a clothing store.

The cell phone firm's electric sign was blamed for the fire, which spread to the attic of the building in the 19700 block of Rinaldi Street.

Firefighters responded to the blaze at 5:07 a.m., and it took 30 of them 26 minutes to knock it down, Los Angeles City Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said.

- Daily News

Attack on guard may be hate crime

SIMI VALLEY - Two Simi Valley men were arrested on suspicion of committing a hate crime after an attack on a security guard at a movie theater.

Police said the two, both white, yelled racial slurs as they pushed and kicked a black security guard about 1 a.m. Saturday at the Regal Plaza in the 2700 block of Tapo Canyon Road.

The guard was not injured, but Richard Derderian, 22, and James Harrison, 18, were arrested on suspicion of battery and committing a hate crime. Harrison was also booked on suspicion of drunk driving, police said.

- Daily News

No suspects yet in man's slaying

ECHO PARK - A man was found shot dead shortly after midnight in the 1500 block of Echo Park Avenue, police said Saturday.

The man suffered multiple gunshot wounds, officials said. Police haven't yet determined a motive or found any suspects.

No further information was available.

- Daily News

Two badly injured in city shootings

Two men were critically wounded in separate shootings early Saturday in southwest Los Angeles, police said.

The first shooting was reported in the 800 block of 40th Street, near Hoover Street, just after midnight, said Los Angeles police Sgt. Stephen Faulk of the Southwest Station.

The victim was standing on the sidewalk when he was shot, he said. Paramedics took the man to a hospital in critical condition, Faulk said.

Shortly after, another man was found shot in an alley near the 4800 block of West Adams Boulevard in the Jefferson Park area, said Sgt. Chris Merlo.

- City News Service

Teenage boy hurt falling from van

PACOIMA - A teenager was injured when he fell from the back of a van on Herrick Avenue on Saturday afternoon, officials said.

The boy, whose name has not been released, suffered head injuries and was taken by ambulance to McClay Middle School, where he was airlifted to Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, said Los Angeles city fire spokesman Brian Humphrey.

The teen was listed in serious but stable condition.

Authorities said the teen may have suffered a seizure before the fall. Officials were investigating.

- Daily News

Vagrant arrested in Ventura fight

VENTURA - Ventura County sheriffs arrested a homeless man on suspicion of of attempted homicide about 5 p.m. Friday after a fight near the intersection of Channel Drive and Lemon Grove Avenue in Ventura.

Alberto Luis Acevedo, 23, was detained by witnesses after allegedly striking another homeless man during the fight.

Police said the victim, whose identity has not been released, was seriously injured and taken to Ventura County Medical Center, where he is listed in critical condition.

- Daily News