(KRON) — Two people were killed after a driver crossed into the wrong-way lanes on Highway 1 early Tuesday afternoon, California Highway Patrol said. The crash happened near Highway 183 in the area of Castroville.
A GMC Sierra was going northbound on Highway 1 at about 12:40 p.m. when it crossed the double yellow lines into the southbound lanes “for reasons still under investigation,” CHP said. It struck a Mazda going southbound.
The driver of the GMC, identified as 69-year-old Santa Cruz resident David Randall Hart, suffered major injuries. The driver and one passenger of the Mazda were killed. A second passenger was hospitalized with major injuries.
The driver was identified by CHP as a 79-year-old woman from Soquel. The passengers were a 75-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman from Tennessee. The man was killed.
The crash affected traffic on Highway 1 Tuesday afternoon. Southbound traffic was diverted onto Molera Road, and northbound traffic was slowed.
KRON ON is streaming news live now
“The California Highway Patrol want to remind drivers that driving is a complex task, requiring a motorist’s full attention,” CHP said. “Anything that diverts the driver’s eyes or attention from the roadway, even for 1-2 seconds, could result in tragedy. It is the responsibility of all of us who drive to help keep the roads safe.”