A tragic crash on U.S. Highway 101 in Ventura County late Monday night claimed the life of at least one person after the vehicle veered off the road and burst into flames.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) traffic information page, officers responded to reports of a collision on southbound Highway 101 near the California Street on-ramp at approximately 10:53 p.m. on June 8.
The crash site was located near the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ventura.
Upon arrival at 10:55 p.m., CHP officers discovered that an SUV had left the roadway, struck an embankment, and caught fire. Authorities quickly recognized that someone might be trapped inside the burning vehicle and called for additional assistance.
Despite their efforts, at least one passenger was reported deceased by 11:23 p.m., prompting the CHP to close lanes near the scene and summon the coroner.
The coroner arrived at the scene around 12:16 a.m. on June 9 and requested a fire crew to assist with the extraction of the deceased individual from the vehicle.
The SUV was towed from the site at approximately 2:19 a.m. As of June 9, no other injuries or fatalities have been reported in connection with the crash.
No arrests have been made, and authorities have not yet released an official report detailing the cause of the fatal incident. The investigation remains ongoing.