Overview
- A 2025 Ford Transit van left southbound Highway 17 near Vine Hill Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains and struck a tree, police said.
- The sole occupant, a 72-year-old man from Ben Lomond, suffered major injuries and was later pronounced dead at the scene.
- The California Highway Patrol said the cause is under investigation and has not determined whether alcohol or drugs were factors, and it asked anyone with information to call CHP dispatch at 831-796-2160.
- Officers first responded to the solo crash at about 12:01 p.m., and one southbound lane was closed during the probe, producing heavy delays before the roadway was reopened.
- The Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office will release the driver’s identity after completing its procedures and CHP investigators continue to examine the crash for contributing factors.