Latest news with #LagunaBeachPoliceDepartment
Indianapolis Star
4 days ago
- Indianapolis Star
A dad was reportedly giving his daughter a driving lesson. He then died in a tragic way.
A man died in a single-vehicle traffic collision while teaching a teen girl how to drive in Laguna Beach, California, according to police. The teen girl is the man's daughter, according to reports. The incident occurred near Coast Highway in the area on Memorial Day, May 26, just before 3:00 p.m., per local police. It involved a 15-year-old driver with a permit and an adult male passenger in the vehicle. A preliminary investigation revealed that the driver "traveled from the upper parking lot" of a supermarket and "breached a fence barrier and continued down an embankment before coming to rest" on the highway, police said. USA TODAY has reached out to the Laguna Beach Police Department for more information. Nashville-bound Greyhound bus crashes: 2 dead, 39 injured According to the Laguna Beach Police Department, the man died at the scene. The driver was hospitalized with significant injuries. "It appeared to be on a permitted driver ... with her father out essentially in a driving lesson sort of situation," Lt. Jesse Schmidt told KCAL News. "Gas pedal-brake pedal confusion and tumbled over a 40-foot cliff onto Coast Highway." Outlets have reported that the teen is in stable condition and will survive her injuries. An investigation is ongoing.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
A dad was reportedly giving his daughter a driving lesson. He then died in a tragic way.
A dad was reportedly giving his daughter a driving lesson. He then died in a tragic way. A man died in a single-vehicle traffic collision while teaching a teen girl how to drive in Laguna Beach, California, according to police. The teen girl is the man's daughter, according to reports. The incident occurred near Coast Highway in the area on Memorial Day, May 26, just before 3:00 p.m., per local police. It involved a 15-year-old driver with a permit and an adult male passenger in the vehicle. A preliminary investigation revealed that the driver "traveled from the upper parking lot" of a supermarket and "breached a fence barrier and continued down an embankment before coming to rest" on the highway, police said. Nashville-bound Greyhound bus crashes: 2 dead, 39 injured Man died, teen driver injured; investigation ongoing According to the Laguna Beach Police Department, the man died at the scene. The driver was hospitalized with significant injuries. "It appeared to be on a permitted driver ... with her father out essentially in a driving lesson sort of situation," Lt. Jesse Schmidt told KCAL News. "Gas pedal-brake pedal confusion and tumbled over a 40-foot cliff onto Coast Highway." Outlets have reported that the teen is in stable condition and will survive her injuries. An investigation is ongoing. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@
Epoch Times
5 days ago
- Epoch Times
64-Year-Old Man Dies Teaching Teen Daughter How to Drive
A 64-year-old man who was teaching his teenage daughter how to drive died on Monday after the car plunged over a cliff in Laguna Beach, California. The 15-year-old girl was practicing driving with her dad, identified by police as James Politoski, in a Gelson's Market parking lot, which has parking spots along a 40-foot embankment facing the Pacific Coast Highway. The Laguna Beach Police Department said the car drove through the fence and fell off the hill, flipping over and landing on its roof on a sidewalk below. Politoski, who was sitting in the passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene. The teenager, who had a permit, was taken to a hospital with serious injuries but is in stable condition as of Tuesday morning, Lt. Jesse Schmidt told The Epoch Times. Police confirmed the driver and passenger were father and daughter, and Laguna Beach residents. Photos from the scene suggest the car was a Volkswagen Beetle. No one else was injured. 'It is really tragic,' said Schmidt. 'Somebody lost their life being a good parent.' Related Stories 5/27/2025 5/26/2025 Schmidt told The Epoch Times that driving around the parking lot was part of their regular practice route. 'It was a father-daughter driving lesson. She's a permitted driver, and Dad was taking her out on a normal route that they had practiced before. Just a really tragic accident, really is what it comes down to.' The accident was reported just before 4:15 p.m. between Wesley and Montage Resort drives. The accident is currently an ongoing investigation, police said. No other injuries were reported. 'Our condolences go out to the family and the loved ones around this that are affected,' he added. 'This doesn't just affect their family, it affects the whole community.' Reinforcing the fence around the parking lot facing the cliff is not out of the question, said Schmidt, but that conversation hasn't been instigated with property owners yet, citing the ongoing investigation.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Father killed in Laguna Beach crash while teaching his 15-year-old daughter how to drive, police say
He was trying to teach his daughter how to drive on Memorial Day when the lesson turned deadly. James Politoski, 64, of Laguna Beach was teaching his 15-year-old daughter how to drive Monday around 2:43 p.m. when she drove from the upper parking lot of a Gelson's Market, breached the fence, and continued down an embankment to the Coast Highway near Wesley Drive and Montage Resort Drive, according to the Laguna Beach Police Department. The teenager was significantly injured and hospitalized at Mission Viejo, according to authorities. Politoski was pronounced dead at the scene. Additional details weren't available. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
Father killed in Laguna Beach crash while teaching his 15-year-old daughter how to drive, police say
He was trying to teach his daughter how to drive on Memorial Day when the lesson turned deadly. James Politoski, 64, of Laguna Beach was teaching his 15-year-old daughter how to drive Monday around 2:43 p.m. when she drove from the upper parking lot of a Gelson's Market, breached the fence, and continued down an embankment to the Coast Highway near Wesley Drive and Montage Resort Drive, according to the Laguna Beach Police Department. The teenager was significantly injured and hospitalized at Mission Viejo, according to authorities. Politoski was pronounced dead at the scene. Additional details weren't available.
