Man's Body Recovered From Submerged Vehicle in San Pedro Identified

SAN PEDRO, CA — A 56-year-old man killed in a crash in San Pedro was identified Monday by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

Joseph Koska's body was recovered from a heavily damaged vehicle that was found upside down and wedged between large rocks on the shoreline at maximum tide at 11:40 p.m. Saturday, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said.

The wreckage was reported at 11:05 p.m. Saturday on the shoreline near Paseo Del Mar and Meyler Street, Humphrey said.

Divers from three LAFD fireboats, along with personnel on two LAFD rescue helicopters, found the submerged vehicle using 30 million candlepower searchlights -- and light from the boats -- to illuminate the rescue site, Humphrey said.

The effort was complicated by the vehicle's collapsed roof "with significant passenger space intrusion," he explained.

Divers were finally able to access the vehicle and free Koska's body, Humphrey said. Koska was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the medical examiner's office.

No other victims were found.

It was unclear how or when the initial crash occurred.

City News Service