Local woman dies in canyon

Iris Jacobson, 67, of Moorpark was found dead in her car in a creek bed below a private canyon road in Happy Camp Regional Park Sunday afternoon.

The accident apparently occurred when Jacobson turned to the right and her car went down a 650-foot embankment, said Brandon Mumme, spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol in Moorpark.

An autopsy revealed that Jacobson died from asphyxiation due to the way she was positioned after the accident, the officer said.

Authorities don't know the cause of the accident but speeding isn't believed to have been a factor, they said.

"We don't have a real cause as for why she drove off the roadway," Mumme said.

A dog was rescued from the vehicle unharmed and taken to the animal shelter, he added.

- Sylvie Belmond