A suspected drunken driver crashed into a traffic pole in Mission Beach, killing himself and injuring his passenger, authorities said today. The 56-year-old man behind the wheel of a 1998 Dodge van apparently lost control while turning from West Mission Bay Drive onto Gleason Road around 7:15 p.m. Sunday, according to San Diego police Officer Robert Heims. The van
hit a curb, then the pole.
The gravely injured driver was taken to a hospital, but died later that night, Heims said. His name was not immediately available. Heims said a female passenger suffered only minor injuries.