Oxnard woman dies in car crash after high-speed chase

OXNARD, Calif. - A 23-year-old Oxnard woman died in a single-car crash early Wednesday morning after a high-speed chase.

At about 1:09 a.m. Wednesday, officers from the California Highway Patrol’s Ventura office went in pursuit of a car traveling at a high rate of speed in the Oxnard area.

Officers also believed the suspect was driving under the influence.

The pursuit ended due to high speeds and dangers posed to the public. 

Approximately 14 minutes later, officers with California Highway Patrol’s Moorpark office noticed a car matching the suspect vehicle description. The car was seen traveling eastbound on Los Angeles Avenue, near the Somis area, at a high rate of speed. A pursuit ensued by CHP officers and a Ventura County Sheriff’s deputy. 

The pursuit continued through Moorpark. The pursuit ended when the driver failed to turn right on White Sage Road, near the State Route 23 overpass.

At about 1:28 AM, the car left the roadway and went over the side of a 200 foot cliff.

With the help of the Ventura County Fire Department, deputies and a paramedic rappelled down the embankment with a rope system. Deputies confirmed the driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle and she was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The identity of the driver is not being released at this time pending notification of next of kin. 

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol are conducting a joint investigation into this incident.