5 Dead After Car Plunges Off Cliff On Pacific Coast Highway

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Authorities say five people were killed when a vehicle plunged about 100 feet (30 meters) off a cliff along Northern California's scenic Pacific Coast Highway near Mendocino.

The California Highway Patrol identified the victims Tuesday as two women from West Linn, Oregon and three children. Their names and ages were not immediately made public.

In a report on the crash, the highway patrol said a 2003 GMC was driving south along Highway 1 Monday when it pulled into a dirt turnout along the road and for unknown reasons continued directly off the cliff.

The vehicle landed on its roof on a large rock, killing all five.

Investigators said it was not clear what caused the crash.

The weather was reported as clear and drugs and alcohol were not considered factors.