IRVINE, Calif. (January 3, 2025) – An 88-year-old man has died after being involved in a single-vehicle traffic collision.

Yesterday, January 2, 2025, at about 3:30 p.m., the Irvine Police Department (IPD) received reports of a man having a medical emergency at the parking structure exit at 100 Spectrum Center Drive. IPD officers and the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) responded to the location. Upon arrival, officers saw a man wedged between the partially open driver’s door and his vehicle, being assisted by a good Samaritan. IPD officers and OCFA took over lifesaving measures. The man was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. He was identified as Robert Ray Bell, a resident of Laguna Woods.

Based on witness statements and video obtained at the scene, the driver approached the security exit gate and stopped to pay. It appears the driver did not place his Mazda SUV into the park gear because the vehicle began to move forward when the driver was outside the car. The open driver’s door made contact with parking equipment, causing the driver’s door to close on the man. He became trapped between the door and the vehicle and could not free himself.

IPD’s Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating this case. Anyone with information about this collision should contact Detective Juarez at 949-724-7047.