In the early morning hours of Thursday, August 13, a vehicle careened off a cliff along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. Landing in the ocean, the accident killed the college-aged female passenger, while the male driver was able to escape and survived.
“On the morning of August 13th, 2026, around 12:50 a.m., a call was received at Santa Cruz Regional 911 for a report that a vehicle had driven off a cliff on West Cliff Drive near Steamers Lane,” reads a statement from the Santa Cruz Fire Department.
“All five units from Santa Cruz Fire (four engines and a ladder truck, plus a Battalion Chief), three units from Central Fire District, a Battalion Chief from Scotts Valley Fire, and the Santa Cruz Police Department responded to the call.”
While the drive was able to free themself from the scene, rescue swimmers had to retrieve the passenger, who remained trapped in the submerged vehicle. Emergency aide was rendered to the victim, who was rushed to a nearby hospital, where they eventually succumbed to their injuries. The driver sustained minor injuries. No official cause of the accident has been named at this time.
“The first victim who self-extracted only sustained minor injuries. The second victim pulled from the vehicle was transported by AMR to a nearby medical facility, with life-saving measures provided en route. The individual later passed away at the hospital,” continues the Santa Cruz Fire Department statement. “The incident remains under active investigation as investigators work to determine the circumstances and cause of the crash.”
Authorities from the University of California, Santa Cruz notified and arrived on the scene when it was learned she was a student at the nearby college.
“We were heartbroken to learn that the victim was a UC Santa Cruz student,” university spokesman Scott Hernandez-Jason said in a statement to The Pajorian. “Our deepest condolences go out to the student’s family and friends during this difficult time. We are providing support resources to those affected by this tragedy.”
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the victims and their friends and family at this time.
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