Human Interest Real People Real People Tragedy Hiker, 57, Dies After Declining Help and Driving Off Embankment — Officials Say Heat Exposure Was to Blame Peter Hayes Robino drove off a "steep 20-foot embankment at the edge of the parking lot," according to the National Park Service By Danielle Jennings Danielle Jennings Danielle Jennings is a Writer/Reporter at PEOPLE, covering stories in Human Interest and Sports. She joins PEOPLE with over 15 years of experience as a journalist with an expertise in areas including Pop Culture, Politics, Hard News, Fashion, Beauty and Crime. Before joining PEOPLE she was a writer and digital editor at notable media outlets, including ABC News, The Shade Room, Madame Noire, Hello Beautiful and Brit + Co. People Editorial Guidelines Published on August 13, 2024 03:58PM EDT Comments Close Man drives off embankment, dies of heat exposure in Death Valley National Park. Photo: National Park Service A 57-year-old man crashed his car and died following a hike at Death Valley National Park, and officials say extreme heat was to blame. Bystanders saw the victim, whom the National Park Service identified as Peter Hayes Robino, "stumble as he returned from the one-mile roundtrip Natural Bridge Trail" earlier this month, officials said in a news release. "The bystanders offered to help Robino, but he declined," officials added, noting that the bystanders noted that the man's "responses did not make sense." Authorities said Robino then got inside his car and drove off a "steep 20-foot embankment at the edge of the parking lot." The vehicle rolled over, and its airbags deployed. Man Dies After Collapsing Outside Restroom in Death Valley National Park amid 121-Degree Heat As one bystander left to call 911, others helped Robino walk back to the parking lot and provided shade. Emergency responders arrived at 4:10 p.m. local time. "The bystanders said Robino was breathing until just before the park rangers arrived," park service officials added. "NPS EMTs started CPR and moved Robino into the air-conditioned ambulance." He was pronounced dead at 4:42 p.m. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Inyo County Coroner's Office found that Robino died of hyperthermia, according to the NPS. Man Found Dead After Running Out of Gas in California's Death Valley National Park During Heat Wave The National Park Service did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for additional comment Superintendent Mike Reynolds, who was one of the EMTs that responded to the scene, said in a statement that Robino’s death should serve as "a reminder not to underestimate the dangers of extreme heat.” Hiker Who Died in Death Valley Spoke to Reporter About Risking Extreme Heat Hours Earlier: 'Why Not?' "Symptoms of overheating can include confusion, irritability, and lack of coordination," officials noted. "The Furnace Creek weather station recorded 119°F that afternoon." His death another visitor died on July 6 as he was traveling through the park on a motorcycle near Badwater Basin.