David Beckham and son escape injury and citation after 405 Freeway accident

Galaxy midfielder and former England international David Beckham escaped injury when his luxury car struck the rear of another vehicle that had broken down in the carpool lane on the southbound 405 Freeway.

The accident, which occurred on Friday morning shortly after 9 as Beckham was heading for training at the Home Depot Center, took place just south of Artesia Boulevard in Torrance, according to a California Highway Patrol spokeswoman.

She said the driver of the stalled car, identified only as a 40-year-old Los Angeles man, was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.

"This collision occurred when his [Beckham's] black Cadillac collided with the rear of a disabled gold Mitsubishi which was stalled in the carpool lane due to mechanical problems," the CHP spokesperson told England's Guardian newspaper. "The driver of the vehicle had a complaint of pain and was taken to hospital. David Beckham was not cited or arrested."

According to a report in England's Daily Mail newspaper, Beckham was driving and his eldest son, Brooklyn, was with him at the time. Brooklyn also escaped injury, although the newspaper reported that Beckham and his son both were "shaken up" by the experience.

The Galaxy made no mention of the incident Friday, either in a news release or on the team's website. Beckham was expected to play against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night in Carson.

-- Grahame L. Jones

Photo: Galaxy midfielder David Beckham and son Brooklyn at a Lakers game earlier this season. Credit: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press