Monterey County, CA – On the afternoon of Thursday, March 20, 2025, a vehicle plunged off a cliff along Highway 1 in Big Sur, resulting in the death of 36-year-old Charlie Phuc Ngo of Sacramento, according to CHP Fatal with additional reporting from KSBW.
CHP reports that the accident took place around 12:09 PM near the 35-mile marker of Highway 1, south of Big Sur.
Emergency responders, including CHP, Big Sur Fire Department, and Monterey County Search and Rescue, arrived after receiving reports of a vehicle that had gone over the cliff between the highway and the ocean.
When crews reached the scene, they found a single vehicle down a steep embankment, still steaming from the impact. Ngo, the sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities initially investigated the possibility that the crash was intentional, but no official determination has been made.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office later identified Ngo as the victim. A helicopter was requested to assist in the response, with an estimated arrival time of 30 minutes. Due to the difficult terrain, a tow service was arranged for the following morning to recover the vehicle.
No additional details about the cause of the crash have been released. The incident remains under investigation by CHP.
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.
Monterey Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a Monterey Fatal Car Accident Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
