San Simeon teen killed on Highway 1 after crashing truck into trees

A San Simeon teenager died after the truck he was driving on State Route 1 in Cambria left the road and crashed into several trees.

The California Highway Patrol said that around 8 p.m. Saturday, Eric Aguilar, 16, left his home in his father's 2019 Ford F-150.

Investigators say it is possible the teenager took the vehicle without his father's permission.

Eric's family reportedly went looking for him shortly after he left home, but were unable to immediately locate him.

On Sunday morning around 6:30 a.m., 911 dispatchers received a call about a vehicle on the side of SR 1 north of Burton Drive. By the time emergency responders arrived, the family had already found the truck and Eric.

Investigators say the truck was not visible from the road. It was about 100 feet down an embankment.

Police are not sure exactly what time the crash happened, but have determined that speed was a factor. They do not yet know if drugs, alcohol or distracted driving contributed to the crash.

The California Highway Patrol is asking anyone who witnessed the crash to call its Templeton office at (805) 400-6720. Outside of normal business hours, people are asked to call the San Luis Obispo CHP Communications Center at (805) 593-3333.