Driver Dies in 1-Vehicle Crash in Simi

A man suspected of drunk driving died Saturday evening after plowing through a barrier and crashing his pickup truck into a hillside in Simi Valley, police said.

The accident occurred shortly after 6 p.m. at the end of Madera Road, about three-quarters of a mile north of the Simi Valley Freeway. The driver, who appeared to be in his early 40s, was pulled from the wreck by firefighters and taken to Simi Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name was not released, pending notification of his family.

Traffic Officer Butch Hale said he discovered the accident about 6:30 while patrolling the area. There were no skid marks and it did not appear that the driver had tried to avoid crashing through reflective markers at the end of the road, he said.

Hale smashed a window of the pickup truck in an effort to free the driver, who was unconscious. After breaking the glass, Hale said, he smelled a strong odor of alcohol and saw two nearly empty bottles of vodka on the cab floor.