Seabee Dies as Car Crashes Into Boulder

A 30-year-old Seabee died early Tuesday when he lost control of his car on the way to work and slammed into a boulder and flipped, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The Camarillo man, whose name was withheld by authorities pending notification of his next of kin, was in uniform and on his way to the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme when the crash occurred about 6:20 a.m. on a curve on Potrero Road near Hueneme Road.

According to Officer Dave Webb, the man was driving faster than the posted 45-mph speed limit when he lost control and hit a boulder at the side of the road. His Acura came to rest upside-down on an embankment on the shoulder.

Ventura County Medical Examiner Dr. Ronald L. O’Halloran said the cause of death was asphyxiation caused by a tightened seat belt. A bump was found on his head, indicating he may have been knocked unconscious first, O’Halloran said.

The victim’s wife and parents were out of state Tuesday and could not be immediately reached, according to Navy officials, who refused to release further details.