A 79-year-old woman died Friday evening after her car plunged off a parking lot in Laguna Beach, California. The vehicle fell about 25 feet, overturned, and landed upside down on a sidewalk, according to the Laguna Beach Police Department.
The incident occurred around 7:09 p.m. when officers responded to a report of a vehicle that had left the roadway. Preliminary investigations indicate the driver was traveling through the parking lot when her vehicle went over a curb, crossed a landscaped area, and crashed through a fence before going over the embankment.
The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. Her identity has not yet been released.
This is the second fatality at the same parking lot within approximately one year. In May 2025, 64-year-old James Politoski died at the location while his 15-year-old daughter was reportedly learning to drive, with some reports suggesting she may have confused the pedals.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the recent collision. Investigators have not yet determined if drugs, alcohol, or a medical emergency played a role in the crash. The Laguna Beach Police Department is seeking witnesses who have not yet spoken to investigators. Motor Corporal Andrew Lopez can be reached at (949) 497-0701.
Residents have expressed concerns about the safety of the parking lot, citing the low fence as inadequate. Locals are calling for the city to implement stronger barriers around the parking areas to prevent similar incidents.