2 Drivers Killed in Car Accidents Possibly Caused by Heart Attacks

Two drivers were killed in separate traffic accidents Thursday that may have been triggered by heart attacks, police said.

In the first incident, a woman died after rear-ending a stopped car on Devonshire Street near Woodley Avenue in North Hills about 3:40 p.m., said Los Angeles Police Officer Valerie Heacock.

The woman, whose name was not released by authorities, died at the scene, Heacock said. Heacock said the woman, who was said to be in her 50s, was speeding and failed to brake, leading them to speculate she may have suffered a heart attack.

The rear-end collision set off a chain reaction involving three other cars and injuring two other people.

Five minutes later, William Beer, 62, of Tujunga died after his sport-utility vehicle crossed over the center median and hit a tractor-trailer in the 9500 block of Sunland Boulevard, according to LAPD Officer Gary Weller.

Beer suffered from a heart condition, Weller said.