ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. — Authorities have identified the man who died in a single-vehicle crash over the weekend in the Angeles National Forest as 52-year-old Phillip Choi. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Monday that Choi died from blunt force injuries sustained in the accident.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the crash occurred around 11:03 a.m. Saturday on Big Pines Highway, just east of Largo Vista Road. Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after receiving reports of a vehicle that had gone off the roadway. Despite lifesaving efforts by first responders, Choi was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials have not yet released details about what caused the crash, though investigators believe Choi’s vehicle may have lost control while navigating the mountain roadway. The CHP is examining whether speed, weather, or road conditions played a role in the fatal accident.

The remote and winding terrain of Big Pines Highway has long been known for its challenging curves and steep drop-offs. Local residents say the area, while scenic, requires extreme caution from drivers, particularly during cooler months when conditions can become slippery or visibility may be reduced.

Authorities have not yet disclosed Choi’s city of residence or whether any witnesses observed the crash. The CHP continues to investigate the incident and is urging anyone with information to contact their office.

The tragic death of Phillip Choi serves as a somber reminder of the dangers that mountain roads can pose. As investigators work to determine the circumstances that led to the crash, family and friends are left mourning a life lost too soon in the quiet hills of the Angeles National Forest.