Passenger Dies as Car Jumps Embankment

A Ventura man died Sunday after the car in which he was riding jumped the Santa Clara River embankment along California 33 in what authorities are investigating as a drunk-driving accident.

Laurie Briggs, 34, also of Ventura, was driving south near Stanley Avenue around 1:50 a.m. at speeds of more than 100 mph when she lost control of the 1996 Volkswagen, according to California Highway Patrol officials.

The car rolled over the embankment, and 27-year-old Ephraim Ashton sustained fatal head injuries, officials said. Both Ashton and Briggs were wearing seat belts.

Briggs suffered minor injuries and was treated and released at Community Memorial Hospital.

She was then arrested and booked on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence, authorities said. Briggs was released from Ventura County Jail on Sunday afternoon after posting $20,000 bail.