79-year-old woman killed after car plunges off embankment in Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach residents said changes need to be made to a dangerous parking lot after a 79-year-old woman was killed when her vehicle plunged down a steep embankment. On July 10, Laguna Beach police were called to a crash near the Aliso Creek Plaza Shopping Center in the 34800 block of South Coast Highway just after 7 p.m.  Investigators said an elderly woman had driven over a curb and through a fence before plunging down a 20 to 25-foot embankment. Her car overturned and landed on its roof on the sidewalk below. She was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries. The crash is the second deadly incident in just over a year that involved a driver plunging down the shopping plaza’s embankment. “It’s just shocking to see something like this happen again,” said Daniel Ramirez, a Mission Viejo resident. Ramirez was working at the Montage hotel across the street in May 2025 when James Politoski, 64, died while teaching his 15-year-old daughter how to drive. The teen was driving in the parking lot when she suddenly drove through the fence barrier and down the steep embankment before their vehicle crash-landed on its roof. Her father was pronounced dead at the scene and the teen was taken to the hospital with critical injuries. At the time, investigators said that the teen may have confused the pedals during the driving lesson. Residents who frequent the shopping plaza said the parking lot’s elevated location is a danger to drivers. They believe the city should take measures to protect drivers by installing a stronger barrier around the lot. “This fence needs to be replaced,” resident Joanne McMahon said of the wood fencing surrounding the lot’s perimeter. “You can see the [nearby] ADA ramp,” she pointed out as an example. “It’s a heavy duty steel structure so a car is not going to fly through it like this. I mean, you can see rotting wood in this fence.” McMahon believes the owner of the shopping center should be held accountable for allowing the fence to deteriorate. “Something's got to change and I think the city needs to get involved,” she said. The deadly crash involving the 79-year-old woman remains under investigation by Laguna Beach police. Her identity was not released. “At this time, investigators are working to determine the circumstances that led to the vehicle leaving the roadway,” police said. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information on the case can call Cpl. Andrew Lopez at 949-497-0701. KTLA has contacted the Laguna Beach mayor’s office to inquire whether residents’ concerns over the shopping center will be addressed and is awaiting a response.