Woman plunges off cliff into ocean after causing crash on Highway 1, California cops say

A woman who hit a pickup truck on Highway 1 near Santa Cruz exited her car, walked across the road to an ocean cliff and fell over, California Highway Patrol officers reported.

The 300-foot plunge into the Pacific Ocean at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 10, killed the 40-year-old woman, officers said in a news release. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter later recovered her body.

The Santa Cruz County Coroner’s Office identified her as Wendy Edwards of Santa Cruz, The Mercury News reported.

An investigation into whether she fell or jumped continues, a CHP news release said.

The Honda Accord the woman was driving hit a Toyota Tundra traveling north on Highway 1, the release said.

The other driver was also a Santa Cruz resident, CHP officers said. Officers have not ruled out alcohol or drugs as factors in the incident.

The crash is technically a hit-and-run since the woman walked away afterward, KRON reported.

added The woman’s name has not been released.

This story was originally published January 11, 2022 at 7:41 AM with the headline "Woman plunges off cliff into ocean after causing crash on Highway 1, California cops say."