(The wrecked remains of a vehicle sits on West Beach Street after crashing during a street race in the area of Highway 129 and Highway 1 early Tuesday morning. Contributed photo)
WATSONVILLE — Two people were hospitalized after crashing their vehicles during a suspected street race, California Highway Patrol spokeswoman Trista Drake said.
According to Drake, Ray Magana, 19, was driving a 2011 BMW 335i south on Highway 1 at about 12:35 a.m. Abel Torres Jr., 23, was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Camaro at the same location.
Magana was flown to Natividad Medical Center with major injuries. Torres suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Watsonville Community Hospital.
The two vehicles collided, which caused the BMW to crash through a guardrail, roll over and land on its wheels on West Beach Street, Drake said.
The Camaro struck the center median and a tree, she said.
Investigators believe the men were involved in an illegal street race. Drugs or alcohol are not thought to be a factor.
Both lanes of southbound Highway 1 were closed for about 20 minutes while emergency workers cleaned up debris. The left lane was still closed Tuesday morning to allow crews to repair the guardrail.
Anyone with information is asked to call officer Silva at 662-0511 or 796-2160.
