Newport Beach officials have declined to release the results of an investigation into the tree that fell and killed motorist Haeyoon Miller in September.
While the blue gum eucalyptus tree on Irvine Avenue straddled the Newport Beach-Costa Mesa border, Newport Beach was responsible for the tree's maintenance. Newport city officials hired an arborist to investigate the accident, in addition to separate analyses by staff members and tree maintenance contractors.
The Daily Pilot filed a request for the report under the California Public Records Act. The request was formally declined Friday.
Newport Beach City Atty. Aaron Harp said all of the reports are confidential.
In an email Thursday, Harp wrote that one of the city's attorneys directed officials to create the reports so they were protected under the attorney-client privilege. They also pertain to pending litigation, according to the city's official response letter.
Harp said he is not aware, however, of any pending claims or lawsuits filed against the city that are related to the motorist's death.
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