Hyundai Veloster left the roadway near Mountain High Resort
August 28, 2026 | Los Angeles, CA
Cole Torres, 19, was killed Aug. 28 when a Hyundai Veloster veered off Angeles Crest Highway, overturned down an embankment, and struck a power pole near Mountain High Resort, CHP said.
Cole Torres, 19, was killed after a Hyundai Veloster traveling east on Angeles Crest Highway veered right, left the roadway and overturned down an embankment before striking a power pole near Mountain High Resort between Big Pines and Wrightwood.
What happened in the crash?
Cole Torres, 19, died when the Hyundai Veloster he was traveling in went off a cliff on Angeles Crest (2) Highway.
- Date: Aug. 28
- Time: About 1:30 a.m.
- Location: Angeles Crest (2) Highway near Mountain High Resort, between Big Pines and Wrightwood, Los Angeles County
- Vehicle: Hyundai Veloster traveling eastbound
- Outcome: Vehicle veered right, left the roadway, overturned down an embankment, and struck a power pole, Torres was pronounced dead at the scene
- Others involved: Three additional fatalities and two injuries reported
The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate. Preliminary findings indicate alcohol as a likely contributing factor.
Why do these accidents happen?
Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death nationwide. Key factors include speeding, alcohol or drug impairment, failure to stay in lane, failure to yield, and distracted driving.
Accident Statistics
| Cause | Annual Fatal Crashes (approx.) | Source |
|---|
| Speeding | Primary cause | Federal Highway Administration |
| Alcohol/Drugs | Second leading | CDC |
| Lane departure | Significant contributor | Federal Highway Administration |
| Distracted driving | Rising factor | CDC |
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, families often face complex insurance processes after a fatal crash.
“Insurance companies are financially motivated to limit compensation and do not factor in the long-term consequences and suffering those victims will ultimately experience,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal.
“Attorneys vigorously advocate for their clients to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly,” added Bond.
“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Key takeaways
- Families may pursue wrongful death claims for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
- Independent investigation of crash evidence can support fair compensation outcomes.
- Prompt legal guidance helps navigate insurance negotiations after catastrophic incidents.
(This report is based on verified data - learn more on our About Us page.)
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
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