By CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA | Reporter
Coroners identified the driver of the fatal accident on the 500 block of Chautauqua Blvd on Tuesday, Feb. 13, as Palisadian Mark William Gibello, 71, who was killed instantly when his Ferrari clipped a vehicle in front of him forcing him to collide into a BMW SUV driving the opposite direction.
The crash occurred around 6:30 pm., shutting down Chautauqua Blvd in both directions for several hours.
“I believe the cause [of death] was a high rate of speed and the individual lost control, colliding into several vehicles,” Officer Mike Lopez of the Los Angeles Police Department told the Palisadian-Post.
In the passenger seat of the dark red Ferrari was professional golfer Bill Haas, who Gibello was hosting at his home during the Genesis Open golf tournament.
Haas was transported to a local hospital from the scene with minor injuries, but was later released.
Sean Heirigs, a witness on the scene, reported that actor Luke Wilson was in the car that Gibello hit just before driving into oncoming traffic and ran to the overturned BMW to help the trapped driver and passenger.
The driver of the BMW was transported to a local hospital in stable condition, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Gibello was a Huntington resident who was on the local board of directors for the Providence Saint John’s Health Center. After receiving his master’s degree in finance from the University of Southern California, Gibello worked his way up to becoming an executive vice president of Trust Company of the West and a senior advisor with Oakmont Corporation, an employee-owned hedge fund.
William “Bill” Haas, a six-time PGA Tour winner, later dropped out of the Genesis Open.
In a statement issued by the PGA and Haas’ Players Group Management, the organizations said, “While Bill escaped serious injuries and has been released from the hospital, he is understandably shaken up and—more importantly—his deepest condolences go out to the host family during this tragic and difficult time.
“Bill will withdraw from the Genesis Open and plans to head home to Greenville to recover. He appreciates the support of friends, family and the golf world as a whole, and he has asked for privacy as he processes what has happened.”
The accident made national headlines, with video and still images from the Post being picked up by the Washington Post, ABC news and many other media outlets.
Note: This article has been updated from a previous version to reflect proper times, dates, and locations.
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