Accident Victim Dies After Refusing Care

A 59-year-old man who refused medical treatment after his truck hit a palm tree and rolled over on Ventura Avenue died several hours later from abdominal injuries, authorities said.

Jesus Garcia Velazquez of Ventura was pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m. Sunday, after paramedics picked him up near his house in the 9000 block of Telephone Road, said Senior Deputy Coroner Mitch Breese.

At 2:50 p.m. Sunday, Velazquez fell asleep behind the wheel of his Ford pickup truck and hit a tree near Crooked Palm Road. The truck rolled over, coming to rest on its tires, on the north shoulder.

Bicycles and other items from the bed of the truck were scattered on Ventura Avenue, and the California Highway Patrol closed the northbound lane for about 30 minutes.

Velazquez was walking around and refused medical attention, authorities said. Officials said Velazquez showed no sign of injury.

A CHP officer drove Velazquez home about 4:50 p.m., and when they arrived, Velazquez became ill in the patrol car.

When Ventura City Fire Department paramedics arrived, they found Velazquez on his hands and knees.

“He had a hard time straightening up. His blood pressure was too low to read,” paramedic supervisor Mike Harris said.

Velazquez was taken by ambulance to Ventura County Medical Center, and underwent emergency treatment for about 90 minutes before being pronounced dead.