Traffic crash takes life of Fillmore teen

Fillmore resident Kevin Lovo, 19, was pronounced dead at the scene after his 1994 Nissan Acura collided with a 1993 Ford Explorer on a rain-slick Erbes Road at 8:47 a.m. Nov. 30.

According to a report from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, Lovo was driving alone southbound in his car on Erbes Road near Tubbs Street when his vehicle slid sideways across the northbound lanes and collided with an SUV driven by 47yearold Thousand Oaks resident Edith Patricia.

It was raining at the time of the accident. The first rain of the season brings oil up off the street and causes a dangerous condition that becomes increasingly dangerous the faster one drives, Senior Dep. Rick Godfrey said.

"All indications showed (Patricia) was doing everything legally," Godfrey said.

According to deputy medical examiner Michael Tellez, Lovo died of multiple blunt force injuries.

"He died instantly," said Godfrey, who was at the scene.

Due to the rain, there were six traffic accidents reported from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 30, Godfrey said.

"When it's not raining, we can go days without six traffic accidents in Thousand Oaks," he said.

He suggests drivers slow down when it's raining.

The Thousand Oaks Police Department traffic bureau is continuing the investigation.

- Nancy Needham