Woman Injured as Car Hits Pole

An Oxnard woman driving home from a doctor’s appointment lost control of her car on Harbor Boulevard Thursday and crashed into a light standard, trapping her in the vehicle, police said.

Leisha Udashkin, 60, had to be removed from her white Saab about 11:05 a.m. after the crash at Harbor Boulevard and Costa de Oro at the entrance to The Colony condominiums, said Oxnard Police Officer Lee Barnard.

A nursing supervisor at St. John’s Regional Medical Center said Udashkin was in surgery Thursday night and would be transferred to the intensive care unit.

The supervisor also said Udashkin was in serious condition, but she would not specify the nature of the injuries.

“We don’t know why she lost control of the car. She was almost home, and witnesses said it looked like she was going to make a lane change,” Barnard said.

Udashkin was driving south on Harbor Boulevard when she lost control of her car and it struck the light pole, which fell to the ground. The car came to rest against a second light standard, Barnard said.

The damage to Udashkin’s car pinned her in the driver’s seat.

The impact also snapped a radiator line, which spilled hot radiator fluid onto Udashkin’s legs, witnesses said.

Several passing motorists stopped and poured cold water from a nearby fountain on Udashkin’s legs until firefighters arrived, witnesses said.

Barnard said that it appeared she was traveling about 45 mph and that no signs of alcohol use were found. He said she has been undergoing chemotherapy and had been prescribed medication.