Out-of-Control Vehicle Kills Teen

An Oxnard teenager was killed when a sport-utility vehicle went out of control and struck him as he walked along Saviers Road, police said Thursday.

The vehicle knocked 17-year-old Juan Valencia into a nearby tree. Paramedics said he suffered additional injuries when well-intentioned witnesses tried to rescue him and instead dropped him eight feet to the ground.

The driver of the vehicle, 19-year-old Daniel Luna of Oxnard, was cited for misdemeanor manslaughter, police said.

Valencia , a ninth-grader at Hueneme High School, was walking near Fir Avenue about 9 p.m. Wednesday when an older-model Chevrolet Blazer driven by Luna jumped the curb and struck him, according to Oxnard Police Traffic Officer Joe Keniewski.

Valencia was taken to St. John’s Regional Medical Center, where he died a short time later.

Luna told authorities he lost control of the vehicle after it had a blowout. Police released him after issuing the citation.

Hueneme High School counselor Maria Elena Aldana said Valencia spent the evening working on school projects at a public library and was walking home when he was struck by the car.

She described Valencia, who was born in Mexico, as a quiet young man who was well-liked by other students.

His mother, Elosia Valencia, came to the school Thursday morning to meet with her son’s counselors, Aldana said. Valencia’s father died four years ago, she said.

Luna was not injured in the crash. Two occupants of his vehicle were taken by ambulance to Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. Their names were not released.