16-Year-Old Eric Aguilar Killed in Late-Night Highway 1 Crash Near Cambria

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA (September 16, 2024) — A 16-year-old boy, Eric Aguilar from San Simeon, tragically lost his life in a late-night crash off Highway 1 near Cambria on Saturday. According to a California Highway Patrol (CHP) news release, Aguilar left his home around 9 p.m., driving his father’s truck to an unknown destination.

The following morning, emergency responders were alerted to a vehicle over the side of Highway 1 north of Burton Drive. The truck had plummeted approximately 100 feet down an embankment and was not visible from the road. By the time emergency crews arrived, family members had already located the crash site. The truck had collided with several trees while leaving the road, resulting in significant damage to the vehicle and fatal injuries to Aguilar.

CHP notes that excessive speed appears to have been the primary cause of the accident, though it remains under investigation whether alcohol, drugs, or distracted driving were contributing factors in the fatal crash near Cambria. Witnesses or anyone with information about the crash are encouraged to contact the CHP at 805-400-6720 or 805-593-3333.