Vehicle Backs Over Steep Cliff and 17 Year-Old Passenger Dies

"Vehicle Backs Over Steep Cliff and 17 Year Old Passenger Dies"
 

Los Angeles: On Saturday, June 8, 2002, at approximately 2:15 a.m., Ainus Lazdaukas, a 20 year old resident of Los Angeles, was in a hilltop clearing near Summitridge Drive and Ferrari Drive with several friends in four separate vehicles. Around 2:00 a.m. everyone decided to leave. Lazdaukas and 4 friends got into his vehicle after the others had left a short time earlier. As Lazdaukas was backing his vehicle to leave he backed over a steep cliff. The vehicle landed approximately 350 feet below and two of the passengers were ejected along the way, a 17 year old female and a 17 year old male. Lazdaukas was able to climb out of the vehicle and make his way back to the top of the hillside. He used his cell phone to summon help.
Beverly Hills Fire Department personnel were the first to arrive on the scene. Paramedics rappelled down the hill and pronounced Aukse Snaigoule, the 17 year old female who had been ejected, dead at the scene. Los Angeles Fire Department Personnel also responded and transported the other occupants of the vehicle to UCLA Hospital for treatment. Edwardus Dranke, 17 years of age, was admitted for a possible fractured back. Mantas Sileikus, 18 years of age, and Thomas Kosticas, 23 years of age, both residents of Los Angeles, were treated for lacerations to their face, neck, arms and legs.
Ainus Lazdaukas was treated for pain to his neck, head, back and abrasions to his right leg and left side of his head. Lazdaukas is not expected to be admitted and will be arrested for 191.5 P, C., Gross Vehicular Manslaughter while intoxicated, after being treated for his injuries.
The investigation is ongoing and the follow-up investigation will be conducted by Officer Dan Kemble of West Traffic Division Detectives.
This press release was prepared by Officer Don Cox, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.