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A La Mesa man was killed Friday when a car in which he was riding ran a stop light and struck a light pole, officials said.

California Highway Patrol Officer Stan Hruza said Hendra Gunawn, 49, was found dead at the scene after a relative, 23-year-old Irawan Gunawn of San Diego, lost control of the car and struck the pole on Japatul Valley Road.

Hruza said the driver did not see the stop sign because he was looking in his rear-view mirror as he was exiting Interstate 8, apparently looking for a car that was following him.

When he saw the sign, he applied his brakes and swerved, hitting the light pole, Hruza said.