Walnut man ID’d as fatal victim of violent Fullerton crash

The 25-year-old driver who died in Fullerton on Nov. 12 when his Lexus crashed into another vehicle and then struck a pole was identified Sunday.

The Orange County coroner’s office said Daniel Ortiz, a Walnut resident, was found dead inside his grey Lexus at the intersection of Gilbert Street and Open Sky Drive last Monday.

Firefighters who responded to the scene found the vehicle wrapped around a city light pole.

At the time of the crash, Fullerton police Sgt. Carin Wright said investigators believed the Lexus driver was traveling northbound on Gilbert Street when the collision with the other vehicle occurred.

Wright said police first found the other vehicle, then followed the debris at the scene that led them to Ortiz’s car.

Ortiz was the the vehicle’s registered owner.

Police have not said what they believe caused the crash. Traffic detectives for the Fullerton Police Department could not be reached Sunday.