CHP rules out alcohol in befuddling 405 fatality

Authorities are baffled by a deadly car crash Wednesday morning on a Costa Mesa freeway off-ramp.

Daniel Pearson, 31, was exiting the 405 Freeway at Fairview Road about 12:30 a.m. when his car drifted left, crashing into a guardrail and pole, authorities said. The Mission Viejo man died on the scene.

Police have not found any witnesses. Initial investigations of the damage indicate Pearson was driving 65 mph and did not brake or try to avoid the guardrail, said California Highway Patrol Officer Denise Quesada. Tests have ruled out alcohol as a possible cause.

“That’s the mystery. There’s no alcohol involved, no other vehicles, no eyewitnesses,” Quesada said.

Investigations show Pearson was alone in the Toyota Land Cruiser, and no other cars appeared to be involved in the crash.

— Alan Blank