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Girl, 14, In Grave Condition After Driving Into Tujunga Storm Channel


TUJUNGA (CBS) — A 14-year-old girl was in critical condition and an 18-year-old woman had minor injuries after the girl accidentally drove a car into a storm channel in Tujunga.

The girl and woman were parked in the Sunland Neighborhood Church's parking lot following a church youth organization event when the girl got behind the wheel, accidentally put the car into reverse, driving through a fence and into the storm wash, Los Angeles police Sgt. Brian McClary.

The crash near Oro Vista Avenue and Hillrose Street was reported at 9:14 p.m. Tuesday, David Ortiz of the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

It was unclear why the girl was driving, McClary said.

They both got out of the vehicle before firefighters arrived, Ortiz said. Crews helped put them on back boards to lift them out of the channel safely and took them to a hospital.

The 14-year-old girl suffered head and chest trauma, McClary said. She remained hospitalized in grave condition Wednesday  at Providence Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills, according to the LAPD.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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