The 24-year-old Watsonville man who died early Sunday morning in a solo-vehicle crash on the 800 block of Walker Street when his car plowed into a large utility pole was identified by his family as Jerry Lee, Jr.
“He was a good kid,” said his father Jerry Lee. “He loved his family very much. Jerry was one of those people who would help anyone.” Family members described him as a “clean freak” and a “foodie” who loved watching movies at home and barbecues.
The impact, just after 1am, sheared the pole at the base and triggered a fire that fully engulfed the Chrysler 300. The flames were so fierce and swift that no one was able to rescue Lee, who died at the scene.
Jerry Lee was joined by family and friends at the crash site to set up an altar with flowers and mementos.
Lee said his son was born in Hayward and moved to Watsonville about a year ago.
“He was part of this community; we’re part of the Lion’s Cub and each Fourth of July we’d be in the parade here in town,” Lee said.
The impact knocked out electricity to 4,865 customers in the area.
Traffic signals were still out of service into Sunday, and Walker Street was closed between Ford Street Ohlone Parkway throughout the day.
A dozen PG&E trucks and a crew responded to the scene to replace the pole and repair power lines.
Police said the Chrysler was traveling southbound on Walker street just south of the Watsonville Slough Bridge when, for unknown reasons, it crossed over the oncoming lane, shot over the curb and sidewalk and smashed into a concrete wall at a high speed. The impact sent the car airborne where it crashed through the utility pole and tore out about 60 feet of chainlink fence. The car then careened back onto Walker Street where it came to a rest fully ablaze on the roadway.
“That Chrysler was his first car,” Lee said. “He loved that car.”
Arturo Santos showed up at the scene Monday to study the blackened footprint left on the asphalt where the car burned.
“My son was his best friend,” he said. “He was such a nice person—very friendly. This is so sad.”
Jerry leaves behind his sisters, Thalia and Abbie, and brothers Joseph, Jeremiah, Joshua and “Little Angel.”
It is unknown whether alcohol or drugs were a factor in the incident, which is still under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call 471.1151.
This story has been updated from a previous version.
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