Fort Bragg driver escapes injury in 80-foot plunge off Hwy. 1

A Fort Bragg motorist plunged down an embankment off Highway 1 near Jenner and walked away with only minor injuries, according to emergency officials.

Jeff Aylen, 62, was driving his 1999 Lexus south on the coastal highway near Burke Avenue when he misjudged a turn and his car went off the side of the road and down about 80 feet, according to CHP Sgt. Dave Hoff.

“His car landed on its roof and he got out and crawled up the embankment,” said Monte Rio Fire Chief Steve Baxman. “When I saw it, I thought, ‘That guy was lucky.’?”

The accident occurred just before 7 p.m. Aylen did not require medical help, Hoff said.

You can reach Staff Writer Elizabeth M. Cosin at 521-5276 or elizabeth.cosin@pressdemocrat.com.