A young man killed when the car he was driving slammed into a utility pole in Lancaster was identified by county authorities Monday.
The single-vehicle crash was reported shortly before 6:55 a.m. Thursday near 170th Street East, north of Avenue P, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Antelope Valley Area CHP investigators determined the 2004 Chevrolet left the roadway for unknown reasons before striking the pole.
Paramedics pronounced the driver dead at the scene.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office identified him as Emmanuel Juarez, 21, whose place of residence was not disclosed.
Juarez was not wearing a seat belt and alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor, CHP officials said.
“The CHP reminds all motorists of the critical importance of always wearing a seatbelt and ensuring all passengers are properly restrained,” the agency said in a statement.
Anyone with information about the collision was urged to contact the CHP Antelope Valley Area office at 661-743-6060. Calls during non-business hours should be directed to the Los Angeles Traffic Management Center at 323-259-3200.