Ojai, CA – On the evening of Saturday, August 23, 2025, a fatal crash sent a vehicle down a steep embankment into a creek along State Route 150 near Old Walnut Road, according to CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol states that, at about 7:18 PM, callers reported the collision and told dispatchers that they could not see the vehicle after it left the roadway. Fire crews from Ventura County Fire Department responded to the area, along with CHP officers, who confirmed that the crash site sat between Old Walnut Road and Sulphur Mountain Road.
First responders located the vehicle down the embankment and confirmed that the driver died at the scene. Due to the steep terrain, crews requested specialized equipment and coordinated with tow operators to bring the vehicle back to the roadway. At 7:53 PM, the coroner received notification and began assisting with the recovery effort.
Recovery operations lasted several hours. CHP closed the roadway just before 10:00 PM while fire crews and tow personnel worked to pull the vehicle from the creek. Officials reopened State Route 150 around 11:15 PM.
The identity of the driver has not yet been released. The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate the cause of the crash.
Single-Vehicle Collisions
In some cases, investigations may reveal that even in a single-vehicle accident, nearby drivers or unsafe road features share some responsibility. California’s Comparative Negligence rule means that, even if those injured in accidents are found partially at fault, they may still be eligible to receive partial compensation for damages.
