Three individuals have been confirmed dead following a single-vehicle accident in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where their car lost control and plunged approximately 400 feet off an embankment.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) San José office reported that officers responded to the collision west of Redwood Gulch Road off Highway 9 at 9:36 p.m. on Monday. The vehicle, identified as a 2024 BMW M3, was traveling eastbound on the winding, two-lane mountain road when the driver reportedly lost control.
The vehicle veered off-road and descended a steep embankment, falling an estimated 400 feet, according to CHP Public Information Officer Ross Lee. Lee noted that Highway 9 is known for its challenging terrain, stating, "SR-9 is a windy mountainous road. We have responded to crashes on SR-9 in the past to varying degrees of severity or injury."
The deceased have been identified as the 21-year-old male driver from Yuba City, a 17-year-old male passenger from San José, and a 27-year-old male passenger from Salem, Oregon. All three sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
Highway 9 was closed in both directions for approximately three hours while authorities conducted their initial investigation. The identities of the victims have not yet been officially released. Officer Lee indicated that the CHP's preliminary findings are subject to further review and potential revision.
