CHP Reports Man Dead Before Collision

By Lenny Roberts

Ojai resident Harold Richards died at approximately 5:45 a.m. Thursday before he lost control of his 1998 Ford Contour on Highway 33 in Mira Monte, according to a statement issued by the California Highway Patrol. In the preliminary report, the CHP stated Richards was southbound approaching Villanova Road at an unknown speed when his vehicle drifted into the northbound lane. He then swerved back onto the southbound lane’s shoulder where he lost control, and the front of his car struck a concrete abutment before it rolled over on its left side and struck a power pole. He was pronounced dead at the scene. In the revised statement, Mr. Richards, 74, died of natural causes and not from injuries sustained in the traffic collision.