Calabasas crash results in fatality

HEAD ON-A Porsche SUV crossed the center divider on Las Virgenes Road and struck this Cadillac, police said. The car's driver was killed and two girls without seat belts were injured. A head-on collision at 2:30 p.m. last Sat., Oct. 14 on Las Virgenes Road south of the 101 Freeway in Calabasas caused the death of one man and injuries to four others. Las Virgenes Road was closed for five hours due to the accident.

A Porsche Cayenne, driven by 66-year-old Richard Rosenberg of Encino, was headed north on Las Virgenes and crossed the double yellow lines and moved into the path of oncoming traffic, said police at the scene. Rosenburg's SUV struck a southbound Cadillac and killed the driver, 55year-old Horace McCoy of Los Angeles. Two young females in the Cadillac, the daughters of McCoy's girlfriend, were injured. An 8yearold was airlifted to UCLA Medical Center with multiple compound fractures. Her 16yearold sister was transported to West Hills Hospital and Medical Center with less severe injuries. Neither girl was wearing a seat belt, police said.

Rosenberg and his wife, Danah, who was a passenger in the Porsche, were taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center with minor injuries.

The Cadillac had to be cut open by the fire department to remove the deceased driver, according to Dep. John Caffrey of the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station. Engine parts and pieces of metal, wires and glass were strewn across the road. Just a few feet from where the totaled Cadillac came to rest, a sign cautioned motorists to "drive safely."

"It's heart-wrenching. In a flash, a moment, all these people's lives were changed dramatically," said Debbie Sands, an Oak Park woman who watched with her daughter road crews cleaned the debris.

Dep. Jeff Sweet with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was the first one at the scene. Sweet was on his way to a police function when he heard the call over his radio.

"These kinds of accidents are a lot more common that you think," Sweet said. "I see them all the time."

It's the second fatal accident on Las Virgenes Road in less than two months. On Aug. 18, a similar accident occurred just north of A.E. Wright Middle School, according to Sgt. Philip Brooks of the Lost Hills station. An Audi traveling north on Las Virgenes crossed to the other side of the road and struck a pickup. The driver of the truck was killed. The driver of the Audi showed evidence of intoxication and drug use, Brooks said.

Police are conducting an investigation into last Saturday's accident to determine if charges will be filed against the driver of the Porsche, Brooks said. Several witnesses are being interviewed.