Photo by Charlie McGrail

In a release, CHP indicates that at about 4:28 p.m., a 77-year old Lakewood man [identification pending] was driving north on the 405 freeway just north of Clark Ave. when, for unknown reasons, he lost control of his 2004 Toyota, struck a concrete curb and metal tubing (on the righthand side of the roadway), which forced his vehicle to the left where it struck the side of a 40-foot trailer pulled by a big rig truck, an impact that sent his vehicle to the right and off the freeway where it landed upside down.

CHP says the driver and his passenger, a 71 year old woman, were both transported to a hospital. At 8:52 p.m., the man was pronounced deceased. The woman in the vehicle survived, receiving what CHP described as minor injuries.

Photo by Charlie McGrail

Photo by Charlie McGrail

In an early report, LBFD initially indicated that the driver was ejected [inconsistent wiht subsequent CHP information.]