A tragic accident occurred on Memorial Day in Laguna Beach, California, when James Politoski, 64, was killed while teaching his 15-year-old daughter to drive. The incident happened around 2:43 p.m. near Coast Highway between Wesley Drive and Montage Resort Drive. According to the Laguna Beach Police Department, the teenager, who had a learner’s permit, lost control of the vehicle, a Volkswagen Type-1 convertible, in the upper parking lot of the now-closed Gelson’s Market at 24 Monarch Bay Plaza. The car crashed through a fence, rolled down a 40-foot embankment, and landed upside down on the highway below.
Politoski was pronounced dead at the scene, while his daughter sustained significant injuries and was hospitalized in Mission Viejo. She is expected to survive, as reported by Fox LA. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but preliminary findings suggest that the teen may have confused the gas and brake pedals, according to Lt. Jesse Schmidt of the Laguna Beach Police Department, who spoke to the Los Angeles Times.
The accident resulted in the closure of Pacific Coast Highway for about three hours to allow for emergency response and investigation. The Laguna Beach Police Department continues to investigate the incident, as reported by Yahoo News. The community mourns the loss of Politoski and extends condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.
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