Driver dies in single-vehicle crash

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- A 49-year-old Los Alamitos man was killed Thursday

afternoon after his sport-utility vehicle crashed into a concrete pillar

on the Corona del Mar (73) Freeway.

Police are still investigating the cause of the accident that transformed

the black Jeep Grand Cherokee into a twisted heap of metal and rubber.

“We don’t know what the reasons for the crash are right now,” said Joanne

O’Hair, public information officer for the California Highway Patrol. “He

could have had a heart attack or may have had a mechanical failure. We

have a couple of witnesses who will hopefully help us piece together the

picture.”

Authorities said the man, who was driving alone, was headed southbound on

the Corona del Mar Freeway at about 2:30 p.m. when he skidded off the

road near the Jamboree Road offramp. The vehicle struck a concrete post

supporting an overpass, demolishing the front portion of the Jeep. Police

believe the vehicle was traveling about 65 mph when it hit the pillar. It

was badly damaged and came to rest facing northbound under the overpass.

The man was most likely killed instantly, authorities said. His body was

covered with a yellow tarp under the vehicle as police conducted their

investigation.

As a result of the fatality, one of the southbound lanes was closed for

about two hours. Traffic was slow-moving in both directions as passing

motorists looked at the accident scene.

No other vehicles were involved. Anyone with information is asked to call

the California Highway Patrol at (714) 567-6000.