PAJARO — A man died in a two-vehicle crash just outside of Pajaro Thursday evening.
According Jessica Madueño of the California Highway Patrol, Zenon Sanchez Cruz, a 23-year-old resident from Watsonville, the driver of a Mitsubishi Galant, was traveling north on Salinas Road just before 7 p.m. between Elkhorn and Trafton roads. For unknown reasons he lost control and shot over the grassy center divide and plowed into a southbound Dodge Journey.
Cruz died at the scene of the major impact collision, officials said, and his passenger was in critical condition. The driver of the Dodge suffered moderate injuries.
Salinas Road was shut down in the area for several hours to allow for an investigation to unfold.
Alcohol may have been a factor, and at this time the collision is still under investigation by the CHP Monterey Area Office, Madueño said
North Monterey County Fire was assisted by Watsonville Fire in the rescue and in dealing with the overall crash.
