BURBANK — A Glendale man died Sunday night when his car swerved off the freeway into a tree, the California Highway Patrol said Monday.
Arvin Esagolian, 19, was traveling south on the Golden State (5) Freeway at about 7:45 p.m. when he lost control of his 1996 Acura just south of Scott Road in Burbank, CHP Officer Todd Workman said.
The car struck a palm tree on the right shoulder, knocking it over and causing major damage to his car, he said.
Esagolian, who was driving alone, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Glendale Fire Department.
The southbound side of the freeway was closed for about 2 1/2 hours Sunday night until about 10:30 p.m., CHP officials said.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, and no other vehicles were involved, but officials think the driver’s speed was a factor.
“We think he was going too fast and lost control,” Workman said. “His car spun around and hit the tree on the driver’s side.”
Alcohol is not suspected, he said.
“The officer on the scene did not see any bottles in the car,” Workman said. “This is a 19-year-old kid that was probably going too fast. But we’ll wait for a toxicology report from the coroner to see for sure.”
The CHP is asking anyone who witnessed the crash to call (626) 296-8100.
