14 DAY TRIAL // A 9-year-old girl has displayed amazing courage by hiking for more than a mile (1.6 km) to get assistance for her dying father after a horrific crash.
Alejandro Renteria of North Hollywood drove his SUV off a cliff and landed into a ravine in Acton, California. At approximately 1 a.m. on Sunday, March 24, he veered off Sierra Highway while the child was in the car.
The girl survived the 200-foot fall and managed to free herself from the vehicle and walk through rough terrain until being stopped by a driver 1 hour and a half later.
“She walked quite a distance in a very, very threatening environment. It's very black out here, very dark. It's very steep and it's brushy and there's also coyotes in the background.
“So for someone who is raised in a very urban environment as opposed to a rural setting, that can be quite intimidating,” California Highway Patrol Sgt. Tom Lackey tells ABC affiliate KABC Los Angeles.
She was headed to the Metrolink station which was on the highway, so she had to climb up the embankment to reach the roadway.
Before attempting to get back on the street she tried walking to a home located 1,000 feet (305 m) away, but she was not able to get any resident to come to the door.
By the time emergency crews could get to her father, he had already passed away. The girl escaped the crash with minor injuries, bruises and a cut to one of her cheeks. She has been transported for observation to the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles.
The survivor explained that her dad had lost control of the car in a dangerous curve. Since they had just left a party and were making their way home, police are looking into the driver's blood alcohol levels.