Fatal Traffic Collision Occurs in Hollywood Hills

Mount Olympus: On September 28, 2000, at approximately 8:45 P.M., a fatal traffic collision occurred on Laurel Canyon Boulevard north of Mount Olympus Drive. Francisco Garcia, a 41 year old resident of North Hollywood, was travelling northbound on Laurel Canyon Boulevard in a 1993 Ford Thunderbird when he crossed over the center median and collided with a 1965 Volkswagen Bug, driven by Gregory Kiraly, a 19 year old resident of Sylmar.

Mr. Garcia’s passenger, Jeff Clark, a 34 year old resident of Valley Glen, sustained minor abrasions from his seat belt.

Mr. Kiraly suffered massive trauma to his entire left side and was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles Department Fire personnel. Riding in Mr. Kiraly’s vehicle were two juvenile passengers whose names are not being released. One of his passengers suffered a severe head injury, and the other suffered a severely fractured pelvis.

Mr. Garcia voluntarily submitted to a breath test, which revealed that he had no alcohol in his system. He also voluntarily submitted to a blood test, of which the results are not available at this time. A Drug Recognition Expert on scene determined that Mr. Garcia was not under the control of drugs. Mr. Garcia suffers from a seizure disorder for which he has been under the control of a doctor’s care for approximately 30 years. All indications are that Mr. Garcia suffered a seizure, which triggered the collision. Mr. Garcia sustained minor injuries from his seat belt, and was released at the scene, pending further investigation.

The investigation is on going, and is being conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Traffic Division. Officer D. Kemble is the primary investigating officer and can be reached at 213-473-0277.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Lyle Michelson, Media Relations Section 213-485-3586.