Driver crashes, dies after pursuit with deputies in Salinas

UPDATE 3/31/2019 10:15 a.m. The driver killed in a crash early Saturday morning in Salinas has been identified as 18-year-old Ivan Sepulveda.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy saw two cars driving recklessly near Williams Road and Bardin. One driver pulled over, but Sepulveda sped away.

Deputies followed him south on Bardin Road, but he did not pulled over and at one point was going more than 100 miles per hour.

He continued on Alisal Road, and south of Hartnell Road the driver lost control and rolled over before hitting a utility pole.

The Sheriff’s Office says Sepulveda was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the car. He died of his injuries in the hospital.

The 17-year-old passenger in the car was wearing a seatbelt and was treated for minor injuries.

PREVIOUS STORY: The California Highway Patrol and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a fatal crash that happened just after midnight early Saturday morning.

An 18-year-old with a 17-year-old passenger were seen driving recklessly near Williams Road and Bardin Road.

A Sheriff’s deputy tried to stop the 2011 Lexus, but the driver took off southbound on Bardin Road. The deputy followed the car as it continued southbound on Alisal Road.

South of Hartnell Road the driver was speeding and started to lose control. That’s when it hit a utility pole on the side of the road. The 18-year-old driver was ejected.

The driver was taken to Natividad Medical Center where he died of his injuries. The 17-year-old passenger was also taken there for minor injuries.

Investigators do not know if drugs or alcohol were involved, but they are continuing to investigate.