Officers warn drivers to slow down after several major and fatal accidents on the Central Coast

Authorities across the Central Coast are warning drivers to take it easy on the road as we gear up for another round of rain.

Multiple car accidents are under investigation, including two fatal accidents, and one that left a Salinas woman in critical condition.

From Monterey County to Santa Cruz and all the way to San Benito County, officers have spent the last few days investigating major and fatal car accidents.

“I hope they made it out of that because it doesn’t look like somebody did,” said Joseph Escalante.

Escalante, a Salinas resident, witnessed the aftermath of the most recent wreck on Sunday morning.

“The car was smashed up all the way towards the driver section, pretty close to the dash. It looked like whoever hit, hit pretty hard.”

Salinas investigators believe the driver may have been speeding down West Alisal Street and College drive, lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree shortly before 6 a.m.

Police said the 32-year-old woman’s vehicle hit so hard that it was tough getting her out of the car.

“They couldn’t easily open the open the doors or get her out of the vehicle. So it did take over a half hour,” explained Salinas Police Commander Mike Groves.

The woman is in critical condition and while speed might have been a factor, police do not believe drugs or alcohol were.

And speed might have played a part in a car accident that left one person dead in Aromas. Cal Fire said they responded to Highway 101 and Cannon Road Saturday morning and found an overturned vehicle. The driver died on scene.

In Santa Cruz, police said a driver struck and killed a 29-year-old-man on Highway 1 and River Street on Friday night. The victim died at the hospital.

With more rain on the way, police are getting ready for more accidents on the road.

“Because people aren’t used to driving in the rain and realize that they do need a little bit more time for the vehicles to stop. And wet roads do make a difference,” said Groves.

Something we hear all the time but sometimes forget.

“Slow down and pay attention. It could be one of your kids or mine that get killed,” said Escalante.