San Matteo County, CA (July 26, 2024) – A tragic accident at Devil’s Slide on Friday led to the deaths of three individuals after their vehicle went over a cliff. The San Mateo County Coroner’s office has identified the victims as Mohammad Noory, 29, and Angelica Gacho, 28, both from South San Francisco, and Brylyn Aroma, 36, from Fort Riley, Kansas.
Accident Details and Ongoing Investigation: The crash occurred around 11:40 a.m. when a gray, two-door sedan veered off the road and plunged down a cliff south of the Tom Lantos Tunnels. Multiple law enforcement and emergency crew personnel responded to the scene. A CAL FIRE team reached the vehicle’s occupants. CHP spokesman Sgt. Caleb Benefiel reported that two individuals were pronounced dead at the scene on Friday, while a third victim was discovered deceased on Saturday. The crash remains under investigation. As a personal injury attorney, I find that several aspects of this case warrant further examination.
Road Conditions and Maintenance: Investigating the condition of the road and whether any maintenance issues could have contributed to the accident is crucial. Was there adequate signage warning drivers of potential hazards? Were there any road defects or lack of guardrails that could have prevented the vehicle from going over the cliff?
Driver Error or Mechanical Failure: Determining whether driver error, such as speeding or distracted driving, contributed to the crash is essential. Additionally, the possibility of mechanical failure in the vehicle should be explored. A thorough car inspection can reveal whether a malfunction, such as brake failure, contributed to the crash.
Wrongful Death Claim: The families of the victims deserve to know the truth about what happened and to seek justice if any negligence played a role in this devastating event. If negligence is found, they may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the negligent party and recover compensation such as funeral and burial expenses.
My sincerest condolences are with the family and friends of Mohammad Noory, Angelica Gacho, and Brylyn Aroma during this heartbreaking and challenging time.
Source: ABC 7