DRIVER HITS ROAD DEBRIS DURING STORM THEN STRIKES POLE; DIES AT SCENE

By Jessyka Heredia

January 27, 2024 (Lemon Grove) -- Monday’s storm claimed the life of a motorist, Harold James Hooker, 67, in Lemon Grove.

He was driving a Honda CRV sport utility vehicle (SUV) southbound on Lemon Grove Avenue around 5:30 p.m. when he struck a large piece of concrete debris on the roadway during the storm. His vehicle traveled up an embankment and struck a utility pole.

A witness who had struck the concrete a short time earlier called 911, according to the Medical Examiner’s office.  First responders extricated Hooker from the wreckage and cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts were initiated.

Despite attempts at resuscitation, he could not be revived; his death was pronounced on scene.