A 72-year-old man was killed when the pickup truck he was driving in Long Beach before sunrise Wednesday struck a guardrail on a bridge, then fell into the water.
Officers responded at approximately 4:20 a.m. Wednesday near Studebaker Road and Loynes Drive to reports regarding a crash involving a vehicle in a body of water, according to the Long Beach Police Department.
The driver, who was from Grover Beach in San Luis Obispo County, and a female passenger were rescued from the water by Long Beach Fire Department personnel.
The driver was taken to a hospital, where he later died, police said.
The female passenger was also taken to a hospital for treatment, but the extent of her injuries was not disclosed.
The preliminary investigation determined that a 2016 Toyota Tundra traveling northbound on Studebaker Road stuck a guardrail on the bridge before falling into the body of water below.
Police said detectives believe speed and distracted driving to be contributing factors leading to the crash.
Anyone with information regarding the fatal crash was urged to call the LBPD Collision Investigation Detail at 562-570-7355. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.