& COSTA MESA -- A 56-year-old man died Thursday afternoon after his vehicle crashed into a pole in a gym parking lot, police said. &

Officers about 12:50 p.m. responded to a crash in a 24-Hour Fitness parking lot in the 500 block of Anton Boulevard.

The driver of a sedan struck a pole, which fell onto another vehicle, Costa Mesa police Lt. Mark Manley said.

The driver of the sedan was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later, Manley said. Authorities are not identifying the man until his family is notified of the death.

The other vehicle was unoccupied, and no other injuries were reported.

Based on their initial investigation, police believe the driver may have suffered a heart attack behind the wheel before the crash. They are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the exact cause of his death.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7939 or semery@ocregister.com

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