Authorities investigating two deadly crashes off Highway 1 cliffs (w/video)

Authorities are still investigating what caused two drivers over a three-day span to go over cliffs on Highway 1.

Jonathan Jason Taylor, 46, died Sunday after his Ford Ranger pickup plunged down a cliff and into the ocean near Portuguese Beach north of Bodega Bay, according to the CHP. Two days later, a Marin County man in a 2014 Tesla went over a cliff north of Jenner.

CHP Officer Jon Sloat said they’re still investigating the circumstances surrounding both crashes. However, he said it’s possible the crashes weren’t accidental and could have been suicides.

“Both of these lean toward intentional,” Sloat said Tuesday.

Taylor was heading north on the curvy highway Sunday night when a State Parks ranger tried to pull him over for multiple mechanical violations, including a missing license plate, CHP said. The Cazadero man didn’t stop but instead appeared to accelerate, going over the 75-foot cliff, CHP reported. His car was towed out of the beach Monday.

Investigators were still trying to determine why Taylor did not stop Tuesday when the 65-year-old Marin County driver went over the cliff about 5 miles north of Jenner.

A caller reported seeing the car go over the cliff shortly after 8 a.m, according to the CHP. Road conditions were clear at the time.

No high winds were reported in the area at that time, Sloat added. He said the car landed on the beach about 300 feet below.

Sloat said the man’s name won’t be released until family members are notified of his death.

He said investigators plan to interview family and friends in an attempt to determine what both men were doing hours before the crashes.

No more details were immediately available.

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jjpressdem. You can reach Staff Writer Eloísa Ruano González at 521-5458 or eloisa.gonzalez@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @eloisanews.