Salinas man killed in two-vehicle crash on Highway 101
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- UPDATE ON APRIL 17, 2023, AT 9:41 AM- A 35-year-old Salinas man is dead after a two-vehicle crash occurred on Sunday night on Southbound Highway 101 at the North Main Street off-ramp.
CHP Monterey said officers were called to the scene around 10:15 p.m. The 35-year-old man was driving a 2018 Chevrolet southbound on Highway 101 at an unknown speed and lost control for an unknown reason.
The 2018 Chevrolet rolled over and came to rest in the right lane, north of North Main Street, with all lights off, said CHP.
Officers said that witnesses pulled over, activated their emergency hazard lights, and attempted to alert on-coming traffic using a flashlight since his vehicle was difficult to see.
A 44-year-old Carmel Valley man was driving a 2019 Dodge Ram southbound on Highway 101 on the right lane at 65 miles per hour.
Officers said that the 44-year-old man observed witnesses at the gore point of Highway 101 to the North Main Street off-ramp. The 44-year-old felt the impact of his Dodge Ram crashing into the 2018 Chevrolet.
As a result of the second crash, the 35-year-old Salinas man suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Southbound Highway 101 was shut down for approximately one hour to investigate the scene, and all traffic was diverted to Laurel Drive from Southbound Highway 101 during this time.
CHP said that the incident is still under investigation, but alcohol and drugs are suspected to be a factor in this crash. They would not comment on who was possibly intoxicated at the time, but no arrests were made.
Officers added the 35-year-old man was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
CHP: Coroner called to crash along Highway 101 in Salinas
The CHP is closing down the North Main Street off-ramp along southbound Highway 101 in Salinas after a crash after 10 PM.
Southbound 101 was closed from Laurel to the Main Street exit, diverting traffic to Laurel Drive.
A coroner was called to the crash scene, which usually indicates that at least one person has died. There was a confirmed fatality from this crash.
After clearing the road of the damaged vehicles, the highway was reopened around 3 a.m. Monday morning.
