Rollover car crash in Salinas kills driver, sends passengers to the hospital

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) The CHP said a man is dead and two others were hospitalized after a solo car crash early Saturday morning.

According to the California Highway Patrol, it happened on southbound Highway 101, just north of W Laurel Dr. at 4:54 a.m.

Three men from Salinas were in a Toyota Camry approaching the exit at an unknown speed.

For reasons still under investigation, the car missed a left curve in the roadway before rolling over and crashing into the Laurel Dr exit sign.

The CHP said the driver and one passenger were thrown from the car because they weren't wearing seatbelts. All three men were taken to Natividad Medical Center for treatment, but the driver died there of his injuries. The passengers suffered major injuries.

Officers suspect alcohol and/or drugs played a part in the crash.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the CHP Monterey Area office at (831) 770-8000 or email MontereyCHPTips@chp.ca.gov.