Motorcyclist dies in Highway 17 crash

A San Jose man died in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 17 early Sunday morning.

The California Highway Patrol said an unknown person was driving a gray 2012 Nissan 370Z at an undetermined speed northbound on Hwy. 17, north of Santa’s Village Road at 5:20am. 

For unknown reasons, the Nissan drove off the roadway and collided with a road sign on the east of northbound Hwy. 17. 

The Nissan then collided with a call box before coming to rest in the left lane of northbound Hwy. 17. The driver of the Nissan then fled the scene. 

Moments later, a 37-year-old man from San Jose was riding a black 2025 Yamaha motorcycle northbound on Highway 17, south of the Nissan, at an undetermined speed. The Yamaha collided with the rear of the Nissan, hurling him onto the road. The Yamaha rider was declared dead at the scene despite lifesaving efforts by medical personnel. 

The CHP said he was wearing a helmet.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation. It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this crash.

Northbound traffic was brought to a standstill for several hours to allow the investigation to be completed. 

Currently, the identity of the driver of the Nissan is unknown, and the CHP is asking the public for assistance. Anyone with information is asked  to call the CHP at 831.219.0200 or the CHP Monterey Communications Center at 831.796.2160.