According to the Laguna Beach Police Department, a man died on Monday while training his daughter to drive when their car careened off an embankment near to an Orange County parking lot.
The incident occurred shortly after 4:10 p.m. on Coast Highway outside a closed grocery shop in Laguna Beach. According to police, the couple’s automobile crashed through a barrier and tumbled around 40 feet down a steep embankment. The Volkswagen convertible flipped onto its roof and came to a stop on the sidewalk below.
According to police, the 15-year-old daughter had a permit and was being taught how to drive by her 64-year-old father. While investigating the incident, they believe a pedal mixup may have played a role.
“It appeared to be on a permitted driver … with her father out essentially in a driving lesson sort of situation,” said Jesse Schmidt, an LBPD officer. “Gas pedal-brake pedal confusion and tumbled over a 40-foot cliff onto Coast Highway.”
The man died at the spot. The adolescent suffered serious injuries in the accident and was believed to be in stable condition on Tuesday after being transported to a Mission Viejo hospital by paramedics.
Following the incident, the Coast Highway was closed for many hours, but it has since reopened.
The girl’s mother informed authorities that the area was close to their home and that it was the usual path she took during lessons.
Reference: Orange County man dies in crash while teaching his daughter how to drive
