Former Police Commissioner Dies in Traffic Accident

Los Angeles: A former Los Angeles City Police Commissioner died Sunday after the car she was driving overturned near her driveway.

On September 10, 2006, around 7:45 p.m., Melanie Lomax, 56, of Hollywood, was backing her Jaguar down the driveway of her residence on Outpost Drive, north of Senalda Road. Before the vehicle reached the street, it left the paved driveway and overtuned down a steep adjacent embankment, coming to rest upside down on Outpost Drive.

A neighbor heard the accident and hurried to help. When he reached the car, Ms. Lomax was unresponsive, still suspended in her seatbelt. Los Angeles City Fire Paramedics provided emergency medical treatment. They determined Ms. Lomax to be in full cardiac arrest. Paramedics rushed her to Cedars Sinai Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 8:37 p.m.

Ms. Lomax sustained no obvious, visible injuries. The official cause of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office.

Melanie Lomax served as a Police Commissioner for the City of Los Angeles in the early 1990s.

The collision is being investigated by West Traffic Division. Questions may be directed to Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.