An 81-year-old Long Beach man was killed Monday morning in a crash near Long Beach Airport, according to police. The collision occurred at about 8:10 a.m. at Wardlow Road and Lakewood Boulevard, a busy intersection just south of the airfield.
Investigators say a 1998 Chevrolet van heading south on Lakewood Boulevard made a left turn onto eastbound Wardlow Road and collided with a 2024 Ford SUV in the intersection. The impact sent the van onto the south sidewalk, where it hit a tree. The van’s driver, identified as 81-year-old Long Beach resident Richard Adam Brown, was pronounced dead at the scene. In contrast, the Ford’s driver stayed behind and cooperated with investigators, as reported by the Long Beach Post. Police told the outlet they believe speed was a factor and noted that Monday’s wreck marked the city’s 24th fatal traffic collision so far this year.
Deadly Corridor Near the Airport
The crash adds to a troubling run of serious collisions in the Lakewood and Wardlow corridor. In February, a single-vehicle wreck near the airport killed four people and drew in federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board, underscoring how violent high-speed crashes in the area can be, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Police Probe and Ongoing Safety Push
Long Beach’s Collision Investigation Detail is handling the latest case, piecing together exactly what led up to Monday’s fatal impact. The department has repeatedly urged drivers to slow down and avoid impaired driving in recent safety advisories. Those reminders were front and center in a recent press release promoting safe holiday driving, part of ongoing enforcement and education efforts described by the Long Beach Police Department.
Officials have not released further details while the investigation continues. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
