[11-30-2024] Ventura County, CA – One Injured, Another Missing After SUV Plunges 1,000 Feet Off Hillside Near Deer Creek Road

A man sustained serious injuries after an SUV plunged approximately 1,000 feet down a hillside near Deer Creek Road, about two miles north of Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura County, on Saturday night, November 30, 2024.

According to reports, a white Cadillac SUV went off the road, and a rear passenger managed to self-extricate despite severe injuries. The man hiked back to the road, where his brother picked him up and transported him to a local hospital.

Authorities were unaware of the crash until noon on Monday when the injured man reported that two additional occupants were still missing.

At around 4 p.m., officers from the California Highway Patrol, along with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Ventura County Fire Department, and Oxnard Fire Department, launched a large-scale search operation using helicopters, drones, K-9 units, and search and rescue teams.

Fire officials reported that one of the missing occupants had been found safe at their residence. Search teams accessed the wrecked SUV but were unable to locate the final missing occupant. The search was suspended and will resume on Tuesday morning.

Authorities have not yet clarified why the crash went unreported for nearly two days or whether the missing individual is the driver or another passenger.

No additional information has been released as the investigation continues.