A 79-year-old woman was killed on July 10, 2026, when her vehicle plunged 20 to 25 feet down a steep embankment at the Aliso Creek Plaza Shopping Center in Laguna Beach. It was the second fatal crash at the same parking lot in just over a year, and residents are demanding answers about why a known hazard was never fixed. If you or a loved one has been injured in a parking lot accident or embankment crash in Laguna Beach (or anywhere in California, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Dordulian Law Group are here to help. Call (866) GO-SEE-SAM today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
On the evening of July 10, 2026, just after 7 p.m., Laguna Beach police responded to reports of a crash near the Aliso Creek Plaza Shopping Center in the 34800 block of South Coast Highway. Investigators determined that an elderly woman had driven over a curb and through a wooden fence at the edge of the elevated parking lot before her vehicle plunged down a steep embankment estimated at 20 to 25 feet.
The vehicle overturned during the fall and landed on its roof on the sidewalk below. The 79-year-old driver was transported to a local hospital, where she tragically died from her injuries. Her identity has not yet been released, and the crash remains under active investigation by the Laguna Beach Police Department. Police have stated that investigators are still working to determine the circumstances that caused the vehicle to leave the roadway. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information is asked to contact Cpl. Andrew Lopez at 949-497-0701.
What makes this tragedy especially alarming is that it is not the first fatal crash at this exact location. In May 2025, 64-year-old James Politoski was killed at the same shopping plaza while teaching his 15-year-old daughter how to drive. The teen was practicing in the parking lot when the vehicle suddenly went through the same fence barrier and down the same steep embankment, crash-landing on its roof. Mr. Politoski was pronounced dead at the scene, and his daughter was hospitalized with critical injuries. Investigators at the time indicated the teen may have confused the pedals during the driving lesson.
Two fatal crashes in roughly 14 months, at the same embankment, through the same style of barrier, raise serious questions about whether the property owner and potentially the city knew about this hazard and failed to act. Local residents have publicly called for change. One resident pointed out that the wooden fence surrounding the lot’s perimeter shows visible rotting wood, while a nearby ADA ramp is protected by a heavy-duty steel structure that a vehicle could not easily break through. Residents believe the shopping center’s owner should be held accountable for allowing the fence to deteriorate, and that the city needs to get involved to protect drivers.
When a fatal crash occurs because of a dangerous property condition, multiple parties may bear legal responsibility. Every case depends on its specific facts, but crashes like the ones at Aliso Creek Plaza often involve one or more of the following potentially liable parties:
The Property Owner or Shopping Center Operator
Under California premises liability law, commercial property owners have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and to protect visitors from foreseeable hazards. An elevated parking lot positioned above a 20 to 25-foot drop is a foreseeable danger. If the only barrier between parked vehicles and that drop is aging or rotting wooden fencing, a jury may find the owner failed to exercise reasonable care.
Critically, once a prior fatal crash occurred at the same spot in May 2025, the property owner was arguably on notice of the danger. Notice is a key element in premises liability cases. When a hazard has already caused a death and the owner takes no meaningful corrective action, such as installing steel guardrails, bollards, or crash-rated barriers, the case for negligence becomes significantly stronger.
The City or a Government Entity
Depending on who owns and controls the embankment, the fencing, the sidewalk below, and the adjacent roadway, a city or other public entity could share responsibility under California Government Code Section 835, which governs dangerous conditions of public property. Claims against government entities in California carry a strict deadline: a government claim generally must be filed within six months of the incident. Missing this deadline can permanently bar a family’s right to recover, which is one reason it is so important to speak with an attorney quickly.
Other Potentially Responsible Parties
Depending on the investigation’s findings, other parties could include property management companies responsible for maintenance, contractors who installed or repaired the fencing, or, in some crashes, a vehicle manufacturer if a mechanical defect such as unintended acceleration or brake failure contributed to the accident.
Premises liability is the area of California law that holds property owners accountable when unsafe conditions on their property injure or kill someone. To prevail in a premises liability claim, an injured victim or a deceased victim’s family generally must show:
In parking lot embankment cases, the central questions are usually whether the barrier was adequate for the known risk, whether the owner knew or should have known the barrier was insufficient or deteriorating, and whether reasonable safety measures would have prevented the crash. When residents can point to rotting wood in a perimeter fence and a prior fatality at the same location, those questions take on real weight.
When a preventable accident takes a life, California law gives surviving family members the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death attorney can help families hold negligent parties accountable and recover compensation for their devastating loss.
Under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.60, a wrongful death claim may generally be filed by the deceased person’s surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and, in some circumstances, other family members or dependents who relied on the deceased for financial support.
Damages in a California wrongful death case may include:
In addition, a survival action brought by the victim’s estate may recover certain damages the victim could have claimed had they survived. An experienced attorney can evaluate which claims apply and pursue the full compensation the law allows.
The statute of limitations for most California wrongful death claims is two years from the date of death. However, if a public entity such as a city is a defendant, the six-month government claim deadline applies first. Evidence in these cases, including the condition of the fence, maintenance records, surveillance footage, and witness memories, can disappear quickly. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible protects your family’s rights.
If you have lost a loved one in a crash like the ones at Aliso Creek Plaza, these steps can help protect a potential claim:
Insurance companies and property owners often move quickly to limit their exposure after a serious crash. Having a proven legal team on your side levels the playing field from day one.
Founder Sam Dordulian is a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County with more than 100 jury trial victories and a 98% winning record. Sam and the team at Dordulian Law Group have recovered more than $150 million for their clients, fighting for injured victims and grieving families throughout California.
Unlike high-volume settlement mills, DLG prepares every case as if it is going to trial. That prosecutor’s mindset means insurance companies and corporate defendants know DLG will not accept lowball offers. Our Glendale-based firm handles personal injury and wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Consultations are always free and confidential.
Can I Sue a Shopping Center if a Dangerous Parking Lot Caused a Crash?
Yes. Under California premises liability law, commercial property owners must keep their premises reasonably safe. If an inadequate or deteriorating barrier, a dangerous drop-off, or another unsafe condition contributed to a crash, the property owner may be held liable for resulting injuries or deaths.
What if the Property Owner Knew About a Prior Crash at the Same Location?
Prior incidents are powerful evidence of notice. When an owner knows a hazard has already caused a serious crash and fails to fix it, that failure can support a finding of negligence and, in some cases, may strengthen the overall value of a claim.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim for an Elderly Parent Killed in a Crash?
In California, the deceased person’s surviving spouse or domestic partner and children are generally the primary parties entitled to file. Adult children can file a wrongful death claim for a deceased parent. An attorney can confirm who has standing in your specific situation.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Dordulian Law Group?
Nothing upfront. DLG handles personal injury and wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no fees unless we recover compensation for you, and your initial consultation is completely free. Call (866) GO-SEE-SAM to get started.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Fatal Crash in Laguna Beach?
Most California wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. If a government entity may be responsible, a formal government claim generally must be filed within six months. Acting quickly preserves critical evidence and protects your rights.
Two families have now lost loved ones at the Aliso Creek Plaza Shopping Center embankment. No family should have to face a preventable tragedy like this alone, and no negligent property owner should escape accountability.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a parking lot accident, embankment crash, or any serious accident in Laguna Beach, Orange County, or anywhere in California, contact Dordulian Law Group today. Our award-winning personal injury and wrongful death attorneys are ready to fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves.
Call (866) GO-SEE-SAM now for your free consultation. We are available 24/7, and you pay nothing unless we win.
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