COUGHING MAY HAVE LED TO FATAL COLLISION.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

LANCASTER - A Lancaster motorist was killed instantly Tuesday when his car hit a big rig after veering across the Avenue D center line, possibly as the result of a coughing fit, officials said. Joe Durham, 58, was driving east on Avenue D near 60th Street West about 5:45 a.m. when he may have begun coughing or choking and allowed his white 1998 Honda Accord to drift into the oncoming traffic lane, officials said.

``With each of the vehicles traveling in the opposite direction, the combined impact was about 110 miles per hour,'' said California Highway Patrol Officer Scott Weldy. ''It's amazing that the passengers suffered only minor cuts and abrasions.''

Durham's passengers included his granddaughter, Susan Durham, 12, of Lancaster; Beverly Flory, 51, of Lancaster; and Dan Brown, 48, of Lancaster. All three were taken to Antelope Valley Hospital, where they were treated and released.

Durham had to be cut from the car and was pronounced dead at the scene by fire crews.

Avenue D - which is designated in that area as state Highway 138 - was closed for less than 30 minutes before being reopened to traffic.

The big rig's driver was not injured. Officials said the Honda hit the truck's rear axle, shearing the axle in half and sending the car into a spin.