A 61-year-old Watsonville man was killed about 1 a.m. today in
the second fatal solo crash in a week on U.S. 101 near Betabel
Road, after he lost control of his sport utility vehicle, rolled
over and struck a tree.
A 61-year-old Watsonville man was killed about 1 a.m. today in the second fatal solo crash in a week on U.S. 101 near Betabel Road, after he lost control of his sport utility vehicle, rolled over and struck a tree.
The 2010 Ford Escape was the only vehicle involved, and the man was the only person inside.
The man, whose identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin, was southbound on U.S. 101 when he tried to turn right and lost control of his vehicle. The SUV left the highway and drove onto a frontage road where it flipped onto its roof and hit a tree.
The man was wearing a seatbelt, CHP spokesman Jaime Rios said.
Workers at a train station called in the incident to the California Highway Patrol at 12:53 a.m., but when officers arrived the driver was pronounced dead due to blunt force trauma, Rios said.
It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were involved, but investigators reported no smell, Rios said. The crash remains under investigation.
On Friday morning, a similar fatal accident occurred in the same area when a San Leandro man driving a tractor-trailer lost control and crashed into a guardrail.
Rios warned that drivers should rid themselves of outside distractions while on the road and be aware of surroundings.
“Both seem to be because of driver error – whether they fell asleep or had a distraction while behind the wheel, we just don’t know,” Rios said.
Those who see a vehicle weaving in between lanes should immediately call 911, Rios said.
