North Hills Man Dies After Being Shot and Crashing Car

An 18-year-old North Hills man died Thursday morning after he was shot while driving his car and crashed into a utility pole, authorities said.

Ruben Quezada died after the 2 a.m. attack in the 14000 block of Van Nuys Boulevard, Los Angeles Police Detective Michael Bowers said. Quezada was shot at least once in the upper torso before he lost control of his car, which hit the pole and flipped onto its side, Bowers said.

Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics pronounced Quezada dead at the scene, Bowers said.

It is unclear whether Quezada was killed by the gunshot wound or by the crash, Bowers said.

Officials at the county coroner’s office said they had no record of having received Quezada’s body.

A resident of the neighborhood of small businesses and apartment complexes said that at the time of the death, he heard screeching tires, six gunshots and a noisy crash before a second vehicle drove away.

“The first two shots sounded like they came from farther away, but the last four were really close,” said the 10-year resident.

Shootings have become common in the area, but “this is the first time I was really scared,” said the man, who did not want to be identified. “Usually I don’t get scared, but this really scared the heck out of me.”

Foothill Division homicide detectives said they have no suspects or motive.