Driver killed in Las Flores Canyon crash
The driver of a truck was killed after his truck plummeted 200 feet over the side of Las Flores Canyon Road in Malibu, according to a California Highway Patrol official. Reportedly, the victim was a 43-year-old Los Angeles man.
The crashed occurred last Wednesday morning at 9:10 a.m. near the 2700 block of Las Flores Canyon Road. The California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles Fire Department responded to reports of a person trapped inside a vehicle that went over the canyon, said CHP Public Information Officer Vince Ramirez.
Authorities needed a heavy duty tow truck in order to recover the vehicle. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:30 a.m., said officer Ramirez.
Las Flores Canyon Road was closed for a portion of the day.
The circumstances surrounding the crash are still under investigation.
This latest crash adds to the list of vehicles that have gone over cliffs in Malibu this year.
Small fire breaks out in Latigo Canyon
A brush fire burned about half an acre on Latigo Canyon Road just south of Ocean View Drive on Tuesday, Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Tony Imbrenda confirmed. The fire department received the call at 11:49 a.m. and a full first alarm brush assignment was dispatched. By the early afternoon, the fire was out and in the cleanup phase.
No one was injured and no homes were damaged as a result of the fire.
While the official cause of the fire is still under investigation, officials believe a traffic collision that knocked down some power lines may be what started the fire.
According to Southern California Edison’s website, two unplanned power outages occurred near Latigo Canyon around 11:45 a.m. Tuesday due to “equipment problems.” As of press time, power was expected to be restored in both cases by around 8:30 p.m. One outage impacted 3,166 customers, while the other affected 973 residents.
Car crash injures two, downs power pole
A three-vehicle crash injured two people and downed a power pole on Pacific Coast Highway near Westward Beach Road on Saturday afternoon. The accident restricted traffic on the highway to one lane in each direction, causing delays through Malibu.
Reportedly, one victim was airlifted to a local hospital while one was transported in an ambulance. The current condition of the victims was not available at press time.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
Three hikers rescued in Malibu
The Malibu Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team located three lost hikers Friday morning after a seven-hour overnight operation near Malibu Canyon Road, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Headquarters Newsroom.
Five friends were hiking in the Rindge Dam area 600 feet below Malibu Canyon Road before becoming separated. Two members of the hiking group were able to make their way out of the canyon by using unmaintained trails. They then called 9-1-1 to report their missing friends, said the Sheriff’s Department press release.
The rescue team included L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Malibu Search and Rescue Team members, L.A. County Fire Department personnel and a helicopter.
The rescued party included a 19-year-old woman and two men, who are 26 and 22 years old. They are all said to be from the Hollywood area.
After evaluating the trio, L.A. County Fire Department rescue paramedics determined only the 19-year-old woman was hurt. She suffered knee and ankle injuries and told officials she would seek her own medical treatment.
“Members of this hiking party were able to seek help, were safely rescued and only one of the five hikers suffered an injury,” David Katz, Malibu Search and Rescue Team Reserve Sergeant, said. “However, others have not been so fortunate. Sadly, during the last six months, Malibu Search and Rescue Team members have responded to the dam on two other occasions, each time retrieving the body of a hiker who had suffered fatal injuries.”
Man who drowned in pool identified
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office identified the body of a man who drowned to death in a pool last month. Jose Escobar, 24, died of a suspected accidental drowning at a home in Malibu Park.
Detective Eddie Brown said Escobar was hired by the homeowner to help install new patio boards in the backyard. Escobar, a resident of Los Angeles, was last seen alive on June 28 when he told two coworkers he was going to water plants at the residence where the men were contracted to work. Brown believes Escobar decided to get into the pool without knowing how to swim.
His coworkers discovered his body the following day. No drugs or alcohol were found in his system and foul play is not suspected.
One arrested, four vehicles impounded at DUI checkpoint
One person was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and four vehicles were impounded during a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and John Tyler Drive Friday night. During the checkpoint, 1,616 vehicles passed through and 1,221 drivers were contacted. Additionally, six drivers were given sobriety tests and 10 were given driver’s license citations.
The checkpoint, which took place from 8:30 p.m. until 3:30 a.m., was conducted by the City of Malibu under the supervision of Malibu/Lost Hills Traffic Sergeant Philip Brooks. It was part of an Office of Traffic Safety grant for the City of Malibu.
City accepting applications for Cultural Arts Commission
The City of Malibu is now accepting applications for its new Cultural Arts Commission, which was created by the City Council on June 25. The commission will be made up of five local residents, with the possibility of one member who lives outside the city limits but within the 90265 area code.
“The Cultural Arts Commission was formed following a final report from the Arts Task Force and is expected to continue the work begun by the Task Force to support and strengthen the arts in the community through education and the formation of partnerships with arts supporters, businesses, foundations and community leaders,” a press release from the city states.
The application deadline is Fri., Aug. 17 at 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit malibucity.org.
School district announces policy for free meals for students
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program this week.
According to a release from the district, eligibility for the meal benefits program will be determined by household size and income criteria. Each school in the district has a copy of the policy, which can be reviewed by any interested party. Application forms are being distributed to all households with a letter about the availability of free or reduced-price meals for local children.
For more information, visit smmusd.org.
City seeking proposals for skate park design
The City of Malibu is accepting proposals for skate park design at Malibu Bluffs Park.
The city’s goal for the skate park project is to create a design accessible for skaters of all levels that utilizes current design elements.
The design consultant should consider the site conditions of the park and its surroundings to create the best use of space.
The selected consultant will work with city staff, Skate Park Committee members and the public on the design.
The plan will also need to be approved by the City Council.
Proposals must be submitted by Thurs., Sept. 6 at 4 p.m.
For more information, or to view the complete Request for Proposals, visit malibucity.org.