Hyundai Veloster veered off the road near Mountain High Resort
August 28, 2026 | Los Angeles, CA
Jason Potter, 19, of Wrightwood, died when the Hyundai Veloster he was riding in went off a cliff along Angeles Crest (2) Highway on the edge of Angeles National Forest.
What happened in the crash?
Jason Potter, 19, of Wrightwood, died after a Hyundai Veloster veered off Angeles Crest Highway, overturned down an embankment and struck a power pole near Mountain High Resort.
- Date and time: Aug. 28 at about 1:30 a.m.
- Location: Angeles Crest (2) Highway near Mountain High Resort, between Big Pines and Wrightwood
- Vehicle: Hyundai Veloster traveling east
- Outcome: Car veered right, left the roadway, overturned, rolled down an embankment, and struck a power pole
- Fatalities: Four people killed, including Potter
- Injuries: Two people injured
- Investigation: California Highway Patrol is handling the investigation, alcohol is considered a likely factor
Why do these accidents happen?
Drunk-driving deaths in California reached 1,355 in 2023, a 55 percent rise over the previous decade. National data from the CDC shows nearly 30 people die daily in U.S. drunk-driving crashes—one every 50 minutes.
Impaired drivers often experience poor judgment, blurred vision, slower reactions, and loss of coordination.
Accident statistics
| Source | Key Figure | Time Period |
|---|
| California data | 1,355 drunk-driving deaths | 2023 |
| CDC | About 30 daily U.S. drunk-driving deaths | Current |
| CDC | One death every 50 minutes | Current |
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, families may have options beyond criminal proceedings. Candice Bond, managing partner of Bond Legal, noted that civil claims can allow families to seek accountability and pursue compensation for losses.
“Separate from criminal charges, a victim’s family may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party. In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and text records of the liable party. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that a drunk driver is held accountable for their reckless actions.”
Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal, added that economic and emotional impacts often follow these tragedies.
“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one. If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed to obtain the justice you deserve.”
Pending the investigation, family members of Jason Potter may explore a wrongful death claim for damages including loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
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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).
Tags: Latest News, Non Commercial, Motor Vehicle Accident, California, Los Angeles County, Fatal Accident, Angeles National Forest, Angeles Crest (2) Highway