One woman dead in fiery vehicle crash on Highway 17
Sergio Berrueta
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) – One woman was killed in a vehicle fire after an accident on Highway 17.
According to the California Highway Patrol, an unknown woman was driving their sedan northbound on Highway 17 north of Jarvis Road before colliding with the center median.
The sedan then continued traveling before colliding with a metal guardrail on the east shoulder of Highway 17. Upon crashing, the sedan caught fire, with the driver sustaining major injuries.
She was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving procedures.
Highway 17 was closed after the vehicle fire had spread into the wildland.
According to CAL FIRE CZU, forward progress was stopped at 11:50 a.m.
The wildland fire was 50 by 50 feet, with northbound and southbound lanes closed. All lanes have since been reopened.
CHP is currently investigating the cause of the crash. It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash.