Covina Man Dies After Crashing His Car in National Forest

Authorities today identified a motorist killed in a crash on San Gabriel Canyon Road in the Angeles National Forest.

Randy Joseph Acosta, 20, of Covina was ejected from the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta and died at the scene of the crash, which occurred about 10:45 p.m. Sunday on northbound San Gabriel Canyon Road at Mile Marker 32.14, the California Highway Patrol reported.

According to the preliminary investigation, the Jetta was traveling "at a high rate of speed'' when it crashed, the CHP reported.

"As Mr. Acosta continued northbound, he allowed his vehicle to drift to the left, crossing the southbound lane and asphalt shoulder,'' according to a CHP statement.

"The left front of Mr. Acosta's vehicle struck an open metal gate. The force from this collision lifted the gate from its pivot post, and the front end of Mr. Acosta's vehicle struck the pivot post.''

San Gabriel Canyon Road was closed until about 3:30 this morning while an investigation was conducted.

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