Posted on: Sunday, December 18, 2005

Man dies, woman hurt in Tantalus wreck

Photo by Joaquin Siopack
Advertiser Staff Photographer

A man was killed and a female passenger seriously injured yesterday afternoon in a single-car accident on Tantalus. Police said speed and alcohol are suspected factors in the wreck, which occurred about 4:20 p.m. in the 3400 block of Round Top Drive.

Sgt. John Agno said the driver of a silver Mazda pickup, a 25-year-old man, was speeding up the mountain, swerved into the left lane, overcompensated going back into the right lane and shot off the right side of the road. The car came to rest on its side about 10 feet down an embankment, Agno said.

Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said the passenger, 17, had escaped from the vehicle before firefighters arrived. Colin Wong, an Emergency Medical Services district chief, said paramedics took the woman to The Queen's Medical Center in serious condition.