West Hills : Motorist, 73, Dies After Apparent Heart Attack

A 73-year-old man died a few blocks from his house Wednesday after his pickup truck hit a street light while he was possibly having a heart attack, police said.

Hiroshi Kato was heading east on Ingomar Street when his truck sailed past a stop sign and struck a light pole in the 23700 block, Los Angeles Police Officer Lee Holloman said.

It appeared that Kato was having a heart attack and he died at the scene, Holloman said, although the coroner’s office will determine the cause of death.

The crash was witnessed by several pedestrians, some of whom ran to call for help. Kato, who was slumped over on the seat, was so short that several pedestrians did not realize there was anyone in the car, Holloman said.

John L. Grogan, a Woodland Hills private investigator who was doing surveillance work in the area, pulled Kato from the car and tried to revive him, but to no avail. “I just wish I could have done more,” Grogan said.