Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Drivers to Blame in Recent Angeles Crest Highway Deaths, According to CHP
Angeles Crest Highway (Photo by Matt McGrath Photo via the LAist Featured Photos pool)
()
It didn't take long after the Angeles Crest Highway reopened in June for not two, not three but four drivers to lose their lives on the road.
After the third death, Caltrans launched an investigation into those deaths to assess whether signage, traffic enforcement and traffic volume could have played a role in those fatal crashes.
The agency found that it is the drivers — and not the road — that are dangerous, according to The Burbank Leader.
All of the recent fatal incidents on the Angeles Crest Highway have been attributed to driver error, including driving under the influence and speeding, according to Officer Ming Hsu of the CHP.
Support for LAist comes from
I’m sure you could find a lot of commuters going across the mountain to the high desert and they’ll tell you they drive it every day and there’s crazy driving out there. There’s hundreds of vehicles going across that road with no problem, it’s these drivers that are careless getting into collisions.
The first fatality in June is a possible suicide — the driver reportedly took a left at a straightaway that plunged his sedan 600 feet over the mountainside.
The second fatality that same day involved a drunk driver who crashed into a tree, after losing control of his car.
The third fatality involved a speeding motorcyclist, who missed a curve and went over the edge.
The cause of the fourth fatal accident this weekend was unknown. Speeding or drugs and alcohol were ruled out, but investigators have speculated that the driver may have not been paying attention when he missed a curve in the road and hit the mountainside.
Caltrans notes that they have made improvements to the highway, such as raising berms and installing railing along most of the mountainside, in an effort to keep cars on the road.
The road is safe, authorities say, drivers just have to be more cautious.
Support for LAist comes from
“People just have to respect the mountain, respect the curves," Hsu said. "And they’re not doing that.”
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist