Driver Dies After Falling 500 Feet Into Ocean from Big Sur's Hurricane Point

The accident occurred on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at approximately 4:22 p.m., according to police

NEED TO KNOW

• A driver died after his vehicle fell 500 feet onto rocks on the coast of the Pacific Ocean near Hurricane Point in Big Sur, Calif.
• The accident occurred around 4:22 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10
• The victim was identified as Aaron Jacob Carbajal, 28, of Salinas, Calif.

A driver died after his vehicle veered off the road and plunged 500 feet onto rocks near the Pacific Ocean along the rugged coastline of Big Sur, Calif. on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 10.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team, Big Sur Fire and the California Highway Patrol recovered the body after the driver plunged off the roadway near Hurricane Point, off Highway 1, the MCSO shared in a press release.

Aaron Jacob Carbajal, 28, of Salinas, Calif., was identified as the victim, KSBW reports, citing the Monterey County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office.

At approximately 4:22 p.m. on Tuesday, the MCSO received several 911 calls regarding the accident, with the callers claiming to have witnessed the vehicle fall into the water below the cliffs.

First responders located the vehicle 500 feet below the roadway on rocks near the water. "During the operation, rescuers located one occupant, who was pronounced deceased at the scene," the MCSO wrote in the press release.

The victim's body was recovered at approximately 8:45 p.m. local time, per the release.

“Weather conditions made recovery efforts extremely challenging," Sheriff Tina Nieto said in the press release. "Strong winds required our Search and Rescue personnel to take additional safety precautions throughout the operation. We extend our condolences to the victim’s family during this difficult time.”

The area was impacted by flooding and a rockslide before the accident, per KSBW.

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The California Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The scenic portion of Highway 1 by Regent’s Slide was previously closed for repairs amid landslides in January, according to a previous press release from California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The roadway connects to Bixby Bridge, a popular scenic driving route made more popular for its appearance in the opening sequence of the HBO series Big Little Lies.

PEOPLE has reached out to the MCSO for further information.

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