Christian Claustro, Vehicle Theft, California 2022

High-Speed Chase Ends in Cliff Crash

A brazen act of theft turned into a high-speed chase that ended in a devastating cliff crash in Yosemite National Park. Christian Claustro, 28, of Rancho Cucamonga, has been charged with theft of personal property, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and fleeing or eluding a police officer.

According to court documents, on December 26, 2022, Claustro stole a Yosemite National Park employee's vehicle who had pulled over on the side of the road to remove a bike from the roadway. Claustro then led a park ranger in a high-speed chase, reaching speeds that put the lives of everyone involved at risk.

The pursuit reached the Ferguson Slide bridge, where Claustro drove the wrong way onto the bridge and collided head-on with another vehicle, causing significant damage. Miraculously, the occupants of the other vehicle were able to escape, but their vehicle was left disabled.

Claustro continued driving, despite the damage to his vehicle, and eventually lost control, driving off a cliff and falling approximately 200 feet to the bottom of a canyon. The National Park Service is leading the investigation into this incident.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting the case, and if convicted, Claustro faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for theft of personal property, up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for destroying or removing property subject to seizure, and up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 for recklessly evading a peace officer.

The charges are only allegations, and Claustro is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The court will determine the actual sentence or outcome after consideration of applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/indictment-charging-theft-vehicle-yosemite-national-park