Rain Could Be Factor in Fatal Crash in Ventura

Authorities were investigating whether a wet roadway in Ventura caused an early morning accident Thursday that took the life of a 22-year-old Ojai woman.

Investigators say Monica Mendoza was driving her red Honda Civic south from California 33 onto the southbound Ventura Freeway about 8:45 a.m. when she began to lose control of her car. The Civic skidded to the left and spun off the road, slamming into a tree.

Mendoza, who was on her way to her job at a Target store, was wearing her seat belt. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mendoza worked full time as a sales clerk at Target and part time as a waitress at an International House of Pancakes.

She graduated from high school in Riverside County and wanted to be a teacher, said her uncle, David Arambula.

“She used to love kids,” he said.

Mendoza lived with her mother and two sisters in Oak View. She moved to Ventura County three years ago to join other family members, Arambula said.

Coroner’s officials said Mendoza died of head injuries.

No other vehicles were involved, California Highway Patrol authorities said.

CHP spokesman Steven Reid said that other accidents have occurred along the stretch of highway, including a May 10 injury accident in which the driver also skidded off the road and hit a tree. The road at that time, however, was dry.

Ojai and Point Mugu reported a trace of rain overnight Thursday, while Simi Valley received 0.04 of an inch, Thousand Oaks 0.03 of an inch and Ventura 0.02 of an inch.