The driver appeared to have suddenly lost control, jumped a curb and struck the pole. It all happened on Victory Boulevard at Royer Avenue.
Emergency responders used the Jaws of Life to cut the roof off of what appeared to be a red Ford Mustang in order to pull the driver out.
Paramedics rushed the driver to the hospital, where he or she later died, Los Angeles police said.
The cause of the crash was under investigation.