Driver has coughing attack prior to crashing into tree

The driver of a pickup truck who slammed into a palm tree Tuesday afternoon had a coughing attack and potentially lost consciousness prior to the crash, the Porterville Police Department said.

The crash occurred just before 4 p.m. Tuesday in the 900 block of West Morton Avenue. Police said the driver, 67-year-old Patrick Gavin, was traveling west on Morton Avenue when he veered off the road and crashed into the palm tree in the parking lot of the Palm Tree Inn.

Two adult passengers in the truck complained of pain as a result of the crash.

All three were transported via ambulance to Kaweah Delta Medical Hospital for treatment of non-serious injuries.