Spens reported in the 1990s for KNBC, KCBS and KNX Newsradio and was known for wearing a trench coat and walking while delivering his televised field reports. Pete Noyes, managing editor at KNBC when the station hired Spens, called him a "fearless reporter" who would not hesitate to risk his life covering shootouts and gang warfare. He was discharged Monday from the cardiac care unit of a Santa Barbara hospital and died the following day in a single-car crash on U.S. 101 in Ventura County. KCBS
More by Kevin Roderick:
Ralph Lawler of the Clippers and the age of AquariusRiding the Expo Line to USC 'just magical'
Last bastion of free parking? Loyola Marymount to charge students
Matt Kemp, Dodgers and Kings start big weekend the right way
LA Times writers revisit their '92 riots observations
Recent Obituaries stories on LA Observed:
Bill Skowron, ex-Dodger and Angel was 81Lucy Delgado, Mothers of East LA founder was 87
Bob Dylan on the passing of Levon Helm
Jesse Linares, city editor was 49 *
Dick Clark, TV music pioneer was 82 *
New at LA Observed
Follow us on Twitter
On the Media Page
Go to Media
LA Biz Observed
Go to LA Biz Observed
Sign up for daily email from LA Observed
Annual issue is out this week