Coroner Investigates Allen Accident

LOS ANGELES (AP) â€” A coroner is investigating whether a traffic accident involving Steve Allen 75 minutes before he died had anything to do with his death. <br><br>Allen, 78, was driving to his son's

Tuesday, November 28th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) â€” A coroner is investigating whether a traffic accident involving Steve Allen 75 minutes before he died had anything to do with his death.

Allen, 78, was driving to his son's home in Encino on Oct. 30 when his car was struck by a sport utility vehicle backing out of a driveway. Allen's car had only minor damage and he continued his trip.

Allen, who had been under a doctor's care, collapsed at his son's house and later died at a hospital.

``It was a very minor traffic accident,'' coroner's spokesman Scott Carrier said. ``If a traffic accident is noted on the death certificate, we are required by California law to investigate it.''

Allen was the original host of the ``Tonight Show.''