OXNARD : Driver Arrested in Fatal Accident

A 20-year-old Northridge man is suspected of smashing into the car of an Oxnard family of four, fleeing on foot and leaving his passenger dead, authorities said.

David White was being held on $50,000 bail at Ventura County Jail on Sunday night. He was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and felony hit-and-run, authorities said.

Brett Lerche, 22, of Van Nuys was pronounced dead about midnight Saturday, Ventura County Deputy Coroner Dale Zentzis said. Lerche died of injuries to his heart, Zentzis said.

Four members of the Marquez family of Oxnard were also injured and taken to several different hospitals, the California Highway Patrol said.

The CHP said White was driving south on Pacific Coast Highway with Lerche seated next to him when his car crossed the double yellow lines and collided head-on with the Marquez family’s car. The collision occurred about 11:30 p.m. Saturday just south of Sycamore Cove, the CHP said.

According to the CHP, White ran away from the scene, leaving Lerche dead in the car.

Philip Marquez, 40, was in good condition Sunday afternoon at Ventura County Medical Center, the nursing supervisor said. His 5-year-old daughter, Nicole, was also in good condition at the same hospital on Sunday. Natividad Marquez, 36, was in fair condition at St. John’s Regional Medical Center on Sunday afternoon. Philip Marquez, 4, was taken to St. John’s and later transferred to Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, where he was in serious condition on Sunday afternoon, a nursing supervisor said.