Driver Killed When Pickup Hits Pole

A 27-year-old man died Tuesday morning after his pickup truck swerved off the road and hit a power pole, police said.

Michael Magdaleno of Winnetka was driving east on Vanowen Street about 6:15 a.m. when his 1995 Nissan hit the pole just west of Winnetka Avenue, said Officer Walter Hogue of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division.

Magdaleno, who was alone and not wearing a seat belt, suffered massive head injuries and was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 7 a.m., Hogue said.

A witness said no other cars were nearby, Hogue said, adding that neither alcohol nor excessive speed were thought to be factors in the crash.