Missing Man Found Dead at Crash Scene

A 38-year-old man reported missing Wednesday was found dead Sunday morning, after he apparently drove his pickup truck into a 300-foot-deep ravine off Interstate 5, authorities said.

The man, a Los Angeles resident, was traveling southbound when his Ford pickup veered off the freeway and plunged down the hill, California Highway Patrol officers said. The crash occurred in an unincorporated region of Los Angeles County north of Templin Highway, said CHP spokesman Frank Sansone.

The man had been released from jail in Fresno on Dec. 31, Sansone said, although he did not know why the man was held.

The driver, who officials said was probably not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the truck and killed upon impact.

The victim’s brother reported that he had not seen him since Dec. 30, CHP Officer Becky Lynch said. Passersby saw evidence of the crash and notified authorities at 9 a.m. Sunday.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, which probably occurred a few days ago, Sansone said. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of his family, authorities said.