Two reported missing people were found dead in their car by family members nearly a week after the vehicle went down an embankment in Palmdale.

Around 8:30 a.m. Sunday, officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Antelope Valley Area Office responded to a fatal traffic collision on Mount Emma Road, east of Angeles Forest Highway in Palmdale, said Officer Jordon Church, spokesperson for the CHP. 

Through the CHP’s investigation, it is believed that the crash may have occurred last Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, according to Church.

“Preliminary information indicates a 2004 Toyota Corolla was being driven westbound on Mount Emma Road, just east of Angeles Forest Highway,” Church said.  “For reasons still under investigation, the Toyota left the roadway and descended approximately 100 feet down a steep embankment.”  Both occupants sustained fatal injuries.

“Family members had reported the occupants missing and actively started searching canyon roads in the area,” Church said. 

On Sunday, the family noticed physical evidence consistent with a vehicle leaving the highway and going down the embankment, according to officials. 

“They traversed the embankment and ultimately found the crashed Toyota and their deceased family members inside,” Church said. “They notified law enforcement, and CHP AV responded to the scene.”

During the investigation, a second unrelated crashed vehicle was near the Toyota. 

“CHP investigators contacted the registered owner, and the individual provided video evidence confirming the collisions were unrelated,” Church said.

The involvement of alcohol and/or drugs as a factor in this crash remains unknown but is being investigated.

Richard Ulloa was identified by his sister on social media videos and a GoFundMe as one of the individuals killed in the crash.

The second victim was identified by Richard’s sister as Jeffrey Chavez.

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