Soquel woman and a Tennessee man killed in Highway 1 crash south of Molera Road
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV)-UPDATE ON MAY 24, 2023 AT 9:43 AM- CHP Monterey confirmed that a 79-year-old Soquel woman and a 75-year-old Tennessee man are dead after they were involved in a two-car crash on Tuesday afternoon in between Castroville and Moss Landing on Highway 1.
CHP said that the crash happened around 12:40 p.m. on Highway 1 just south of Molera Road. A 69-year-old Santa Cruz man was driving a 2016 GMC Sierra on northbound Highway 1 just south of Molera Road.
The 79-year-old Soquel woman was driving a blue 2016 Mazda CX-5 southbound on Highway 1 approaching Highway 183.
CHP said that the GMC Sierra crossed the double yellow lines and went directly into the Mazda's path of travel.
The GMC Sierra crashed head-on into the Mazda. The man driving the GMC Sierra suffered major injuries and was transported to a local hospital. He was the only occupant inside of the GMC, said CHP.
CHP said that he was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The 79-year-old Soquel woman and a 76-year-old Tennessee man who was seated in the back of the Mazda both died at the scene.
A 73-year-old Tennessee woman who was seated in the front seat of the Mazda suffered major injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
The deceased victims were identified as Dorothy Cousins of Soquel and James Hendrickson from Dandridge Tennessee.
Southbound Highway 1 was closed for a couple of hours as officers were investigating the crash. CHP Monterey is leading and currently investigating the crash.
CHP wants to remind people that "driving is a complex task, requiring a motorist’s full attention. Anything that diverts the driver’s eyes or attention from the roadway, even for 1-2 seconds, could result in tragedy. It is the responsibility of all of us who drive to help keep the roads safe."
Highway 1 reopened after two died in crash south of Molera Road
CHP Monterey confirmed with our reporter at the scene that two people have died in a multi-vehicle crash just north of Castroville.
The crash happened on Highway 1 just south of Molera Road around 12:37 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon.
CHP said that a blue Mazda SUV was going south on Highway 1 near Molera Road. At the same time a black GMC truck was going northbound on Highway 1 and for an unknown reason veered into the southbound lane.
The two cars crashed head-on and two people were killed inside the blue Mazda, per CHP. This caused several other vehicles behind the Mazda to crash.
CHP has not said how many people or vehicles total was involved in the crash. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Caltrans said all lanes of Highway 1 are now reopened.
Original Story
Caltrans District 5 said that southbound lanes of Highway 1 south of Molera Road are closed due to a multi-vehicle crash in the area.
Caltrans said that the northbound lanes are slow on approach to where the crash happened. We do not know if anyone was hurt in the crash and working to get those details from CHP.
There is no current timetable for when the southbound lanes will reopen. A reporter is on his way to the scene and this story will be updated.
