POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH VAN PROBED; CRASH ON FREEWAY KILLED 8-MONTH-OLD.

Byline: Daily News Staff and Wire Services

An Antelope Valley Freeway crash that killed an 8-month-old Lancaster boy might have been caused by a mechanical problem in the van in which he was riding, California Highway Patrol officials said Monday.

The officer investigating the 3:25 p.m. Sunday crash on the northbound freeway south of Santiago Road believes the 1995 Chevrolet van veered out of control when the ball joint on the left front axle broke, said CHP Officer Scott Weldy.

``The whole thing is still under investigation,'' Weldy added.

Although he was riding in an infant seat, Carlton Bircher was fatally injured as the van rolled two or three times down an embankment between the freeway's north- and southbound sides, officials said.

One report said the infant had been thrown from the van as it rolled, but Weldy said he could not confirm that. The baby was flown by helicopter to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, where he was pronounced dead.

The van in which the baby was riding was driven by his grandfather, Gerald Yates, 46, of West Covina, officials said.

The boy's parents and grandparents also were taken to hospitals, but all had been sent home by Monday, officials said.

The baby's mother, Mickey Yates, 23, of Lancaster and grandmother Daisy Yates, 46, of West Covina were treated at Antelope Valley Hospital and released. The father, Carlton Bircher, 32, and grandfather were treated at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills and discharged.

All northbound lanes were shut down Sunday after the crash and reopened about three hours later, officials said.