Heart Attack Blamed in Death of Motorist

A 55-year-old motorist died Saturday from an apparent heart attack as his car went out of control, striking two bicyclists and then slamming into a telephone pole, police said.

The bicyclists, who suffered bruises and abrasions, were admitted to Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, according to hospital and police spokesmen.

The driver of the car, identified as Elwood Olenthus Nettles of Santa Ana, was pronounced dead on arrival at UCI Medical Center in Orange, Police Sgt. Richie Murg said.

“Preliminary indications are that he had a heart attack before or during the collision, which possibly accounts for the loss of control of vehicle,” Murg said.

The collision occurred at about 2:30 p.m. in the 2000 block of West Willits Street, he said. Nettles’ car collided with two bicyclists traveling eastbound along the south curb.

The bicyclists, Kovell Carroll, 16, of Santa Ana, and Angela Corprew, 21, also of Santa Ana, were listed in fair condition, a hospital spokeswoman said. Murg said Corprew had suffered a concussion.

The official cause of Nettles’ death is “pending medical evaluation,” Murg said.