ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST

Teen dies in 300-foot fall

Los Angeles county sheriff's department homicide division investigates as a precautionary action.

By Janine Marnien

March 12 2002

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST -- A Los Angeles man died after falling off a retaining wall on Mount Lowe Toll Road near Mt. Wilson, officials said.

Galicio Aroldo died from severe head trauma after falling 300 feet, Montrose Search and Rescue Team member Mike Leum said. Aroldo, 19, was pronounced dead on arrival shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday by a paramedic with the L.A. County Fire Department.

A second man, whose name authorities did not release, fell 15 feet in an apparent attempt to catch his friend. He suffered minor injuries and walked away from the scene, Leum said. A couple on a walk heard cries for help from the second man and notified authorities. Montrose Search and Rescue removed the man, also 19, with a special harness, Leum said.

The two men fell down a very steep incline, Leum added.

"To get to them we had to totally hang vertical," Leum said. "We were just in midair for hundreds of feet until we got to the bottom."

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department homicide division is investigating the incident as a precautionary measure, Det. Cheryl Comstock said.

"Any accidental death is looked at to see if there is anything suspicious," Comstock said. "But the bottom line with this case is he's up there, it's dark, he sits down on the rock retaining wall, he loses his balance and falls off."

Authorities suspect both men might have been under the influence of alcohol, and are waiting for toxicology reports to be completed. Reports are expected in eight to 12 weeks, Comstock said.