WATSONVILLE — A 19-year-old Watsonville man was killed Wednesday night after crashing his vehicle on Highway 152, California Highway Patrol officer Trista Drake said Thursday.
According to Drake, the man was driving west in a 1998 Toyota Avalon at a “high rate of speed” at about 7:30 p.m. when the vehicle crossed the double-yellow lines and into oncoming traffic and hit a 2017 Volvo XC90.
The Toyota lost control and continued west, and then struck a dirt embankment, became airborne and struck a utility pole.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger, a 20-year-old female, was taken to Natividad Medical Center with major injuries.
Highway 152 was closed for more than three hours while emergency crews cleared the scene and repaired downed power lines.
The incident is under investigation. It was not clear Thursday morning whether drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash.
