Battalion Chief Jamie Newton directs the work near Gilbert Street and Hughes Drive in Fullerton on Friday. The driver of a Saturn sedan lost control of his vehicle and hit a tree before wrapping it around a light pole.KEN STEINHARDT, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
By JOSHUA SUDOCK and KEN STEINHARDT / STAFF WRITERS
Driver dies after hitting a tree and light pole in Fullerton
July 15, 2016
Updated 3:11 p.m
FULLERTON, CA – A 26-year-old man died after losing control of his car, hitting a tree, and wrapping the Saturn around a light pole Friday morning, authorities said.
Firefighters cut the driver out of his car. He was taken to UCI Medical Center, where he died. A 22-year-old female passenger was treated for moderate injuries and taken to a hospital.
“Excessive speed is a likely cause based on what we have so far,” police Sgt. Chris Wren said.
The Saturn was traveling southbound on Gilbert Street, just before Hughes Drive, shortly before 7:30 a.m., police Sgt. Jon Radus said.
No other vehicles were involved.
The intersection of Gilbert Street and Hughes Drive was shut down while rescuers treated the victims. Traffic delays in the area were expected as investigators worked at the scene.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Fullerton Police Department traffic bureau at 714-738-5313 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.