LAX85FA119

The acft crashed while the plt was returning from a x-country flt at night. Witnesses reported that the acft was flying low in a westerly direction & appeared to be following interstate highway 8. One witness, who was traveling westbound, stated that the acft overtook him while flying at about 100 to 200 ft above his auto. He further reported that the acft then turned, crossed over the freeway, struck the side of the mountain & burst into flames. The elevation of the crash site was aprx 4200 ft. low clouds were reported in the area at the time of the accident. Aprx 23 mi west at the gillespi arpt, the wx was reported as 3000 ft overcast with 10 mi visibility. The elevation at gillespi was 385 ft. no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure of the acft was found.