1 Dead, 1 Injured In Crash That Took 36 Hours To Uncover

CASTAIC (CBSLA.com) — One man was killed and his passenger injured in a crash that occurred on Friday evening but only uncovered today after the man's pickup went 250-feet down a steep and rocky ravine east of Castaic.

An initial report from the California Highway Patrol said that a vehicle went over the side of the roadway near Lake Hughes and Castaic roads.

The crash occurred about 7:45 p.m. Friday.

The driver, a 65-year-old Fontana resident, let the right side tires of his 1995 GMC Sierra drift onto the dirt and gravel shoulder, according to CHP Sgt. Mike Logie.

The driver lost control of the vehicle and tumbled down the rocky hillside after spinning out. The truck rolled over several times before coming to rest against a rock ledge about 40 feet from the base of the gorge, Logie said.

The driver -- now identified as Jose Lopez Contreras, was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger, identified as Alvaro Avila, a 39-year-old Van Nuys resident, was able to climb out of the vehicle.

The CHP learned of the crash Sunday morning around 8 a.m. after a motorist noticed skid marks and stopped to investigate.

Avila was airlifted to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital for treatment of a broken pelvis and other internal injuries, Logie said.

There was no immediate explanation for how Avila was able to survive for 36 hours in the ravine.

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