Monterey County, CA – On the afternoon of Tuesday, February 10, 2026, a single-vehicle cliff crash resulted in the death of 28-year-old Aaron Jacob Carbajal of Salinas, according to KSBW, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 4:20 PM near State Route 1 South and Hurricane Point.
Authorities said the vehicle veered off the roadway about a mile south of Bixby Bridge and plunged more than 500 feet down a cliff, ultimately landing on rocks at the base and partially entering the sea. Witnesses reported the vehicle drove off the cliff, and responders initially had difficulty locating it due to strong winds and limited visibility. Debris was observed along the cliffside before the vehicle was confirmed below.
Search and rescue teams were deployed, with assistance requested from Monterey communications, the Coast Guard, and Coastal Air Operations. Weather conditions at the time included light rain, wind gusts near 30 MPH, and a ceiling of approximately 1,200 feet, which complicated aerial response efforts. Rescuers located one occupant inside the vehicle, and Carbajal was pronounced dead at the scene.
Recovery operations continued into the evening, and officials indicated that full vehicle recovery would be completed the following morning. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Ongoing Investigations
Victims of traffic accidents and their families should be aware that authorities may fail to note or even misinterpret critical evidence at a crash site. One of the services that a Personal Injury Attorney can provide is to pursue follow-up investigations, which can reveal additional evidence to correct any errors made by previous investigators.
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 through a Wrongful Death Claim.
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.
