Man dies after car hits wall

An 81-year-old Newport Beach man died Monday morning after his car veered off the road and crashed into a retaining wall, according to police.

A witness driving behind the man said he appeared to be slumped over the steering wheel while traveling eastbound on West Coast Highway between Orange and Prospect streets, Newport Beach police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe said.

The victim was later identified Monday afternoon as John Shattuck, who Lowe said died at the scene.

Police received reports of the crash about 8:40 a.m., and the highway was shut down to one lane for about three hours following the accident, Lowe said.

Investigator Kelly Keyes of the Orange County coroner’s office said Shattuck died of natural causes but couldn’t elaborate.

— Jill Cowan

Twitter: @jillcowan