Five Fatalities in Hwy 1 Accident

Body being lifted by a helicopter

One of the victims being lifted from the scene by a CHP helicopter. [Photo provided by the CHP]

The California Highway Patrol released information on yesterday’s horrific tragedy off Hwy 1. According to their press release, five people–two adults from West Linn, Oregon and three juveniles–were all killed when the 2003 GMC they were in went off a large cliff south of Juan Creek which is north of Westport.

The release states that the driver drove the GMC “into a large dirt turnout on the west side of SR-1 and for unknown reasons allowed [the vehicle] to continue in a westerly directly off a large cliff.”
According to the CHP, the vehicle “fell down the cliff and overturned onto its roof…on a large rock where it came to rest facing in a southerly direction.”
All of the three juvenile passengers came out of the GMC and were located at the scene, according to the release. The two adult occupants had to be removed from the vehicle later.

“At this time, drugs or alcohol are not considered to be a factor in this collision,” reports the CHP.

Note: The earlier post failed to note the three juveniles were not wearing safety equipment such as seatbelts.

vehicle crash near the ocean

The GMC landed near the ocean. [Photo from Mendocino Sports Plus–See more here.]

Earlier Chapter: Multiple Fatalities After Car Crashes off Hwy 1

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RIP
Guest
RIP
6 years ago

Kids weren’t strapped in? The paranoid, domestic abuse aware individual may suspect foul play.
Tragic accident or intentional wreck ? Bad either way .

Veteran's Friend
Guest
Veteran's Friend
6 years ago
Reply to  RIP

They were stopped at a turnout. Perhaps loading or unloading from the vehicle prior to it rolling over the cliff. Making assumptions like yours seems cruel & ignorant.

The Self Righteous Bus to Hell Is Full
Guest
The Self Righteous Bus to Hell Is Full
6 years ago

Asking a pertinent question or simply wondering about what happened is not making an assumption.

Added: Wow I was shocked when this post was actually passed through.

Veteran's Friend
Guest
Veteran's Friend
6 years ago

Which one?

Cheri
Guest
Cheri
6 years ago

They all passed away. – can’t you keep your comment to yourself. You don’t know if they were belted in or not it doesn’t state it in the report. Sorry for the loss of the family and friends RiP 🙏

j
Guest
j
6 years ago
Reply to  Cheri

“All of the three juvenile passengers came out of GMC and were located at the scene, according to the release.”
Although it doesn’t say they were ‘ejected’, I kind of assume they were not belted in, maybe that’s why they pulled over, to yell at their kids to put their seatbelts back on… Or maybe the kids took them off as they were pulling over…

Diamond
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  j

It does state they were not belted in.

Deborah Bauer
Guest
Deborah Bauer
6 years ago
Reply to  Cheri

Yes it does say the juveniles were not wearing safety belts

Life is short
Guest
Life is short
6 years ago

So hard to not imagine their final moments as a family (I’m assuming that they are all related). Beautiful resting place. Sorry for the rest of the family’s loss.

Liz
Guest
Liz
6 years ago

So sad to hear this. Yesterday they did not know when the GMC went over the cliff. Does anyone have an estimate how long before they were seen? How old were the juveniles?

Justsayin
Guest
Justsayin
6 years ago

Have you ever driven highway one? It’s extremely dangerous for the vast majority of its length. You need to be a good driver and pay attention continuously. Most of it should be outlawed and closed as to dangerous

Helllbilly
Guest
Helllbilly
6 years ago
Reply to  Justsayin

A little dramatic don’t you think?!

Magik
Guest
Magik
6 years ago
Reply to  Helllbilly

Usually id agree hillbill but it really is a dangerous road, tho its super duper amazingly beautiful!!! The speed limit should be 25.

We lost some incredible young people from so hum years ago on the 1, RIP, theres no room for error on that road.
I have to say I’ve many times had the fear of accidentally punching gas instead of brakes or vice versa in one of those turn outs.

Condolences to all involved and hoping above all else they did not suffer but were gone quickly. Please know there are many of us sending love and peace your way ♡

Dan
Guest
Dan
6 years ago
Reply to  Justsayin

If bad roads are outlawed only outlaws will have bad roads.

Buster
Guest
Buster
6 years ago
Reply to  Dan

Well then that fits a lot of rural Humboldt, Trinity, etc.

Lone ranger
Guest
Lone ranger
6 years ago

Maybe the onboard computer will have some answers, should show speed,brakes if applied,throttle position, rear door safety locks, if windows locked

Connie Schartz
Guest
6 years ago

Such a tragedy. Possibly the driver had a medical crises. Praying for their families in this time of sadness.

Just awful
Guest
Just awful
6 years ago

Horrible! The driver, by failing to have all passengers wearing seat belts, may have killed these children.

Sara
Guest
Sara
6 years ago
Reply to  Just awful

Did you see the picture of how it landed? Pretty sure seatbelts, in this case, were not saving anyone.

Johnny Reb
Guest
Johnny Reb
6 years ago

“came out: is clumsy language at best. There is no official language stating seatbelts were not being worn. The parents allowed the teens not to wear belts.

Pookie
Guest
Pookie
6 years ago

I don’t know any parents that buckle themselves up and allow their kids to ride unbuckled. Kids are quick to pop seatbelts when they are getting out to look around. Quite possible they were about to get out and the driver had a medical emergency. Wait for more information before speculating that a parent killed their kids. So sorry for those that just lost these loved ones.

Guest
Guest
Guest
6 years ago
Reply to  Pookie

But will we ever hear? It would be good to have a final report on whatever is determined but that doesn’t seem to happen.

Dan Fuller
Guest
Dan Fuller
6 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Agreed just like Paul Harvey, I want to know the “rest of the story”!!!

J Dubbs
Guest
J Dubbs
6 years ago

Yeah, have you seen the size of that cliff and the length they tumbled down? Not sure seatbelts would’ve helped here, they landed upside down on a ROCK, drop it already

Meemaw
Guest
Meemaw
6 years ago

What I am hearing is that this wonderful family has been absorbed by the coast
They had many adventures and touched many lives through love and kindness
They had respect and reverence for mother earth
May their memory be for a blessing

LinSea
Guest
LinSea
5 years ago

They were being investigated by CPS for child abuse. They fled CPS in Washington, on Friday with all 6 of their children They are now searching for the other 3 children. No accident here.

Pookie
Guest
Pookie
5 years ago
Reply to  LinSea

That is horrifying! So sad to hear that. With such a great loss of life I was hoping it was just a true accident. My stomach hurts after reading that. Praying the others are found safe and sound.

Meemaw
Guest
Meemaw
5 years ago
Reply to  LinSea

I would challenge anyone who would question this families ethics or abilities a fantastic family that grew food and raised animals and each child was incredibly well educated

Breakthesilence
Guest
Breakthesilence
5 years ago
Reply to  Meemaw

The abuse claims and subsequent conviction (child victim in that case accused one parent but the other took the blame) smacks of a control/abuse dynamic . Narcissistic abusers are famous for having picture perfect lives ( superior education , and in public admirable ethics) on the outside . But behind closed doors? Hell.