Driver dies after hitting traffic signal pole

A 41-year-old man died after a vehicle he was traveling in struck a traffic signal pole on Irvine Center Drive, Irvine police said.

John Hwan Kim of Laguna Woods was dead when police arrived to the scene of the crash in the 8800 block north of Hubble about 12:40 a.m. Friday, according to the Irvine Police Department.

Kim was alone in the vehicle at the time of the crash, police said. Police do not believe alcohol was a factor.

Irvine Center Drive was closed to northbound traffic between Research Drive and Bake Parkway on Friday morning and afternoon, and workers continued work about 4:15 p.m. Friday on repairing the signal, Cmdr. Barry Aninag said.

About that time two lanes of northbound traffic reopened, Aninag said. Authorities issued a SigAlert and the Orange County Transportation Authority was notified of the closure.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30