Woman killed as Jeep plunges 1,500 feet to ravine near Santa Clarita

A 25-year-old woman was killed Saturday when the Jeep in which she was riding went out of control on a steep hillside near Santa Clarita and rolled over as it plunged 1,500 feet to the bottom of a ravine, the California Highway Patrol said.

The woman, a Redlands resident, was pronounced dead at the scene, the CHP said Sunday in a news release. Her name was not released pending notification of family.

The driver, a 28-year-old Granada Hills resident, apparently was attempting to climb the hill when he lost control of the modified 1996 Jeep Cherokee, the CHP said.

The man, whose name has not been released, was thrown from the vehicle and suffered major injuries, the release said. He was placed under arrest and taken to Antelope Valley Hospital, according to the release.

“Alcohol appears to have been a contributing factor,” the CHP said.

The accident occurred about 2 p.m. on Lookout Trail, north of Texas Canyon, in the Rowher Flats Off-Highway Vehicle area, a popular destination for off-road enthusiasts.

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