Crime & Safety

Young 101 Freeway Crash Victim and Mom ID'd

A 9-year-old girl dies in a fatal accident on Saturday on a local freeway while her mom suffers serious burn injuries.

A 27-year-old woman rescued from a fiery crash that killed her 9-year-old daughter was fighting for her life today with burns over most of her body.

The woman, identified in broadcast reports as Gilani Taylor, was taken to County-USC Medical Center with burns over at least 80 percent of her body after yesterday's roughly 8:30 a.m. accident on the southbound 101 Freeway near Las Virgenes Road.

The woman's daughter, identified as Jayla, died in the fire, according to the California Highway Patrol.

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The crash victims are from Oxnard, according to an ABC report.

Taylor was driving a 1995 Chrysler when she lost control, crashed into the center divider, hit a tanker truck and overturned, bursting into flames. Several people stopped to try to help and pulled the woman from the wreckage.

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"She's rolling in pain, on fire, and her skin is falling off," Dale Johnsen told a reporter at the scene. "I was shocked at first. I thought it was a horror movie."

Taylor is an independent music artist. Her Facebook fan page has turned into a wall for prayers and messages of sympathy.

-- From City News Service


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