Jeep Falls Down Embankment in Santa Ana, Kills 1

A 34-year-old man driving on the Costa Mesa Freeway died early Friday morning after his Jeep tumbled over a 100-foot embankment and landed on Grand Avenue near Dyer Road, the California Highway Patrol said.

The victim, Hector Orejel of Yorba Linda, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene, CHP spokeswoman Angel Johnson said. It was not known whether he had been wearing a seat belt.

Orejel was southbound in the No. 4 lane north of Dyer Road, Johnson said. “For whatever reason, the Jeep drifted to the right side of the roadway, hit a freeway sign, and rolled over the side.”

Orejel was alone in the Jeep and no other cars were involved in the 1:30 a.m. accident.