LBPD's release text notes that the Coroner's Office hasn't released the deceased's identity pending notification of next of kin. The delay isn't unusual when a person is pronounced deceased at a hospital, because the Coroner's office doesn't yet have possession of the body. However, yesterday (Jan. 12), a number of media outlets (citing his employer and a close friend) reported that the deceased was Sean Belk, 36, a Long Beach journalist whose byline appeared in the Signal Tribune preceded by the Long Beach Journal.
LBPD's release text follows:
On January 11, 2019, at approximately 8:36 p.m., officers responded to the area of Obispo Avenue and Broadway regarding a head on traffic collision between two vehicles, which resulted in the death of a male adult.The preliminary investigation revealed the collision occurred when the driver of a Kia Soul was traveling south on Obispo Avenue south of Broadway when a Chevrolet Silverado was stopped facing north on the northbound side of the roadway, with his headlamps and flashers on, to pick up a co-worker. The driver of the Kia Soul then collided with the stopped Chevrolet Silverado. The collision caused the Kia Soul to also collide with an unoccupied Honda Civic that was parked along the west curb of the street.
The driver of the Kia Soul, a 36-year-old male adult resident of Long Beach was transported to a local hospital in critical condition where he was later pronounced deceased. Identity is being withheld at this time pending notification to next of kin.
Officers also contacted a 54-year-old male resident of Bullhead City, AZ who was identified as the driver of a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado involved in the collision. He had a valid license, stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. There was no indication drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision. The investigation remains ongoing.
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