Investigators believe two people found dead in a vehicle in Acton over the weekend actually lost their lives after crashing into a ravine a week ago, authorities said Tuesday.
Initially, it was believed there had been a two-vehicle collision on Sunday, because two cars were found in the ravine, but that turned out not to be the case, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Officers were called at about 8:25 a.m. Sunday to investigate a crash on Mount Emma Road, just east of Angeles Forest Highway.
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Investigators with the CHP's Antelope Valley area office believe the crash may have occurred on Aug. 19.
According to preliminarily findings, a 2004 Toyota Corolla being driven west on Mount Emma Road left the roadway and plunged about 100 feet down a steep embankment.
"Tragically, both occupants sustained fatal injuries as a result," the CHP reported.
The victims had been reported missing by family members, who "actively started searching canyon roads in the area."
"On August 24, 2025, they noticed physical evidence consistent with a vehicle leaving the surface of the highway," according to the CHP. "They traversed the embankment and ultimately found the crashed Toyota and their deceased family members inside. They notified law enforcement, and CHP AV responded to the scene."
According to the CHP, "a second, unrelated crashed vehicle was near the Toyota."
Investigators reached out to the registered owner, who provided video evidence confirming the collisions were unrelated.
"The involvement of alcohol and/or drugs as a factor in this crash remains unknown but is being investigated," according to the CHP.
Anyone with information about the fatal crash was urged to contact the CHP's Antelope Valley-area office at 661-743-6060 during business hours. After-hours call can be directed to the CHP's Los Angeles Traffic Management Center at 323-259-3200.
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