OCC Soccer Player Dies in Car Accident

Makoto Mitchell, a 19-year-old freshman forward on the Orange Coast College men’s soccer team, died in a one-car accident Sunday morning in El Cajon.

Mitchell, from Fallbrook High School, was heading east on Interstate 8 when he apparently dozed off at about 8 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. His car left the highway, went down an embankment, then hit a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Funeral plans are pending.

For OCC this season, Mitchell had scored six goals, including four in one game. OCC plays San Diego City in the second round of the Southern California Regional playoffs Saturday.