A Scotts Valley man died Sunday morning after his minivan plunged into the ocean from the Santa Cruz Wharf.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as William Westerman, 65.
Santa Cruz Police said Westerman was driving a white Toyota Sienna minivan with his dog aboard at 9:44am when, for unknown reasons, he plowed through a wood railing near Marini’s Candies on the northwest side of the wharf. His van then dropped about 30 feet to the sea where it then sank to the ocean floor.
Westerman was pronounced dead at the hospital, Santa Cruz Police Department said. The dog was rescued by bystanders and was then taken to an animal hospital for care.
The Santa Cruz Fire Department, Central Fire, State Parks, Scotts Valley Fire, and the SCPD responded to the scene. Rescuers found no other persons in the vehicle or water.
The investigation is ongoing.
