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Off-Duty Sheriff's Deputy, 43, Killed In Car Crash Near Idyllwild

IDYLLWILD (CBS) — A 43-year-old off-duty sheriff's deputy was killed when his 1978 Jeep crashed near highways 74 and 371 in the San Bernardino National Forest outside Idyllwild, the California Highway Patrol said Saturday.

The crash occurred about 10:45 p.m. Friday when Deputy Sean Bahash, a resident of Mountain Center, lost control of the Jeep he was driving and it overturned, according to CHP spokesman Darren Meyer.

"As Bahash was traveling eastbound down a steep, rutted dirt road, he lost control of the Jeep," Meyer said. "The vehicle overturned, ejecting Bahash, who was unrestrained. Bahash was crushed by the overturning Jeep and declared dead at the scene by Cal Fire paramedics."

A passenger in the Jeep, Eli Higgins of Aguanga, suffered minor injuries and refused medical attention, Meyer said.

The CHP was investigating the crash, he said.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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