Klein death investigated




Officials haven’t yet released the cause of death for Gary Klein, a planning commissioner for the City of Calabasas, who died unexpectedly on July 31.

The 65-year-old Klein had been involved in a car accident on the 101 Freeway near Parkway Calabasas three days prior to his death.

At about 7:30 a.m. July 28, a 71-year-old woman heading east on 101 Freeway suddenly slowed down due to large debris blocking the roadway, a California Highway Patrol report said. Klein, who was driving behind the woman’s vehicle, was unable to stop in time and struck the rear of her car.

The woman was not hospitalized following the collision, but Klein was transported to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Woodland Hills with minor injuries.

“It was a bad accident, but not fatal,” said Michael Klein, son of Gary Klein, He said his father was taken to the hospital in stable condition. “It was more than a fender bender, but we didn’t think it was something serious,” Klein said.

Gary Klein’s health worsened on Mon., July 30 and he died at the hospital the following morning.

The cause of death is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Coroner, said Joseph Saunders, spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol. Results of an autopsy are pending. A service honoring Klein was held last weekend.

The city has yet not made any plans to fill his vacancy on the planning commission. Commissioner David Brown is currently serving as an alternate on the five-member advisory panel.

Klein joined the Calabasas Planning Commission in 2001 and was a former chairman of the city’s general plan advisory committee. He worked as a planner for the City of Los Angeles until 2006.

Sylvie Belmond



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