DEATH, CRASH TIED TO ATTACK.

Byline: Terry Kanakri Daily News Staff Writer

A 60-year-old Simi Valley woman died Tuesday after an apparent heart attack, which she suffered shortly before her car slammed into a bus near downtown Los Angeles, officials said.

Joan Fuca was pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Hospital where she was transported following the 7:35 a.m. accident near the intersection of Beaudry Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, hospital spokeswoman Hind Baki said.

Los Angeles Police Department Officer K. Spencer of the Rampart Division said a West Covina-based Foothill Transit bus was exiting the southbound Harbor (110) Freeway at the Wilshire Boulevard off-ramp and was merging into Beaudry Avenue when the accident happened.

As the bus was merging, Fuca was driving southbound on Beaudry Avenue in a two-door blue Buick at an unknown speed when she collided with the bus from the rear, Spencer said.

"It's believed that she possibly went into cardiac arrest before the collision, like experiencing a heart attack," Spencer said. "It looks like (the cause of death) was not from the traffic accident, meaning she didn't die from the impact. It appears she died from the heart attack. That's the opinion of the doctor at the hospital."

Jim Wells, spokesman of the Los Angeles Fire Department, said attempts were made to revive Fuca while she was being transported to Good Samaritan Hospital, including assistance with breathing.

Nancy Pearl, spokeswoman of West Covina-based Foothill Transit, said the bus driver was experienced, but has been put on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into the accident.

Pearl said such action is a normal procedure.

Pearl said none of the 30 bus passengers on board at the time of the accident was injured.