Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
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.
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.
Sponsored message
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.
“People just have to respect the mountain, respect the curves," Hsu said. "And they’re not doing that.”
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
