The Sierra Canyon High School community is in deep mourning following the sudden death of student Hunter Langley, who was killed in a devastating vehicle accident early Wednesday morning while traveling to school. The loss has sent shockwaves through the campus and surrounding community, leaving classmates, teachers, coaches, coworkers, and friends struggling to process the tragedy.
Hunter Langley was widely remembered as a beloved son, brother, friend, teammate, and student. Those who knew him described a young man who was kind-hearted, motivated, and uplifting to everyone around him. Friends said he brought positive energy into classrooms and onto the basketball court, encouraging others through both his actions and his attitude.
In response to the tragedy, Sierra Canyon High School suspended all athletic activities for the day. Most notably, the Mission League boys basketball championship game between top-seeded Sierra Canyon and No. 2 Notre Dame, scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, was canceled. Because the CIF Southern Section regular-season calendar concludes this week, the championship game will not be rescheduled, and no Mission League title will be awarded this year. League standings will instead be finalized based on tournament seeding.
In a message to ticket holders, the Sierra Canyon Athletics Department announced full refunds and emphasized that supporting students and families took priority over competition. Athletic Director Alec Moss echoed that sentiment, stating that compassion and care must come before athletics during moments of profound loss.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal crash occurred shortly before 7:40 a.m. along Malibu Canyon Road near Pepperdine University. Authorities said a Tesla vehicle left the roadway near Potter Drive and plunged approximately 30 feet down an embankment, coming to rest in dense vegetation. Los Angeles County firefighters found the driver still inside the vehicle upon arrival and pronounced the individual dead at the scene. CHP confirmed Hunter was the sole occupant of the car. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and officials have not yet determined whether speed, weather, or mechanical factors played a role.
Sierra Canyon Head of School Jim Skrumbis addressed families in a letter Wednesday morning, expressing heartfelt condolences and acknowledging the immense grief felt across the school. He encouraged families to speak openly with their children and noted that counselors and wellness staff would be available in the coming days to support students through the loss.
“Our strength as a community is revealed in our empathy, our presence, and the ways we come together to care for one another,” Skrumbis wrote.
As the Sierra Canyon community continues to grieve, tributes to Hunter Langley have poured in from friends, teammates, and families whose lives he touched. While his life ended far too soon, those closest to him say his kindness, spirit, and impact will endure.
The community has asked for privacy for the Langley family as they navigate this unimaginable loss, while honoring Hunter’s memory through unity, compassion, and support for one another.