Briefly

A Costa Mesa man was killed when the car in which he was riding

slammed into a power pole at 80 to 100 mph, police said Friday.

Steven Cassidy, 31, died about 11:50 p.m. Thursday on Red Hill Avenue

south of Fischer Avenue, said Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Don Holford.

His friend, Lance Smith, 30, of Long Beach was arrested on suspicion

of driving under the influence of alcohol, Holford said.

Police said Smith was driving south on Red Hill Avenue when he lost

control of the car and hit the pole.

“We know Cassidy was wearing his seat belt,” Holford said. “But the

way the car took the pole out, it wouldn’t have made much of a difference

even if he was wearing a seat belt.”

Smith was being treated Friday at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana

for bruises and contusions.

He was being held on $50,000 bond and faces arraignment next week at

Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.