Singh was about to begin her third year at UC Santa Cruz when the car, driven by a male friend, plunged off the West Cliff Drive on August 13.

Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 15:04:54 IST

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An Indian-origin student at the University of California, Santa Cruz was killed in a horrific accident earlier this month.

As per a report by the California Post, the victim was identified as 19-year-old Ali Renee Singh.

Singh was about to begin her third year at UC Santa Cruz when the car, driven by a male friend, plunged off the West Cliff Drive on August 13.

“It is with a very sad and heavy heart that I deliver this news to you. My niece, Alli Renee Singh, daughter of Ravneet Mahal and Gian Singh, has been taken to our Lord on the morning of August 13th in a tragic auto accident,” wrote Singh’s aunt, Monica Singh-Strohmeier, in a Facebook post.

UC Santa Cruz police were also notified of the tragedy and went to the scene because the victim was a student, university spokesman Scott Hernandez-Jason told The Pajaronian.

“We were heartbroken to learn that the victim was a UC Santa Cruz student. Our deepest condolences go out to the student’s family and friends during this difficult time. We are providing support resources to those affected by this tragedy," he said.

Student trapped inside vehicle

As per the report, rescue swimmers located Singh, who was trapped inside the submerged vehicle. Meanwhile, the male driver accompanying Singh managed to escape and suffered minor injuries.

The report added that emergency crews rushed to the scene with all five units of the Santa Cruz Fire Department deployed.

Three units from the Central Fire District, a battalion chief from Scotts Valley Fire and Santa Cruz police were also deployed to the scene.

Visuals from the scene showed a red car being hauled from the Pacific ocean.

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