A Watsonville man died and five other people were injured Saturday night in a multi-vehicle crash just north of Hollister, according to the California Highway Patrol.
About 7pm, a 27-year-old man from Tres Pinos, driving a Mazda 3 sedan, attempted a U-turn from the northbound lane of Highway 25 north of Flynn Road, the CHP said.
The driver made the turn “into the direct path” of a Chevrolet Suburban driven by a 32-year-old San Jose man, who collided with the left side of the Mazda.
The impact hurled the Suburban into the highway’s southbound lane, where it smashed head-on into a Honda Accord driven by a 39-year-old Watsonville man. The Honda driver suffered major injuries and later died at Hazel Hawkins Hospital in Hollister, the CHP said.
The Suburban’s driver suffered moderate injuries, as did two of his passengers, while a third passenger suffered major injuries.
The Mazda’s driver was taken to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas with major injuries, according to the CHP.
The Watsonville man has not been identified pending notification of next of kin.
“It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision and the investigation is ongoing,” the CHP said.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
