Firefighters Use Jaws Of Life To Rescue Woman, 3-Year-Old Girl After Car Plows Into Tree

VENTURA (CBS) — Police have arrested a Ventura resident on suspicion of child endangerment and felony driving under the influence following a crash that left a 3-year-old child with major injuries.

The crash on Telegraph Road just east of Linden Drive was reported about 4:14 a.m. Saturday, a news release issued by the Ventura Police Department stated.

Arriving officers found a vehicle in a tree and firefighters had to use the "jaws of life" to free 64-year-old Mercedes Lopez and the little girl from the wreckage.

Police said the child was fastened in a child safety seat but that it was not secured properly, the news release stated.

Both Lopez and the girl were transported to the trauma center of Ventura County Medical Center for treatment.

Lopez was subsequently arrested for felony driving under the influence of medication and child endangerment.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.