TWO KILLED WHEN SUV OVERTURNS DRIVER FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL.

Byline: CAROL ROCK Staff Writer

VALENCIA -- Two people died early Friday when they were thrown from a crowded sport utility vehicle that overturned on Interstate 5, and clogged traffic for hours.

Alicia Espinoza, 66, and Jorge Cardenas, 19, both residents of Mazatlan, Mexico, died after being thrown from a Chevrolet Suburban driven by 41-year-old Maria Simancas, who apparently fell asleep at the wheel, said Officer John Lutz of the Highway Patrol.

Simancas' husband, Manuel Mendoza, 57, tried to grab the steering wheel, causing the SUV to overturn on the right shoulder of the southbound freeway.

Espinoza was pronounced dead at the scene near state Route 126; Cardenas was taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital with severe head trauma and died later Friday afternoon.

Simancas and Mendoza, of San Jose, had taken family members from Mazatlan on vacation in the Bay Area. They were returning home when the accident occurred.

``According to the driver, everyone was asleep in the car,'' Lutz said. ``She woke up when she heard screaming and knew someone had grabbed the wheel.''

Five of the eight passengers were not wearing seat belts and were ejected from the vehicle. Gabby Cardenas, 16, and her brother, Alan Cardenas, 10, were airlifted to USC Medical Center with severe injuries. The children's parents, Gabby and Jorge Cardenas, suffered minor injuries.

The accident occurred at 6:40 a.m. The southbound lanes of the freeway were closed for about two hours, causing a backup of several miles.

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

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