Man is crushed to death under car after using screwdriver to start it

A Costa Mesa man was crushed to death when his car rolled onto him Friday night, according to authorities.

Richard Franchino, 56, crawled under a Ford Taurus in a parking lot outside 2544 Anacapa Drive to trigger the car’s ignition using a screwdriver, Costa Mesa police said.

When the engine started, the car began moving forward, trapping Franchino and seriously injuring him, according to police.

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Paramedics arrived at about 8:20 p.m. and took Franchino to Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana where he died of his injuries, police said.

It’s unclear why Franchino was using a screwdriver to start his car, Costa Mesa police Sgt. Matt Selinske said.

The case is still under investigation, and police ask anyone with information to call Traffic Investigator Darren Wood at (714) 754-5264.

Dobruck writes for the Daily Pilot.

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