WATSONVILLE, CA — California Highway Patrol officers responded to a fatal two-vehicle collision on State Route 1, south of Springfield Road in the Watsonville area of Monterey County, at approximately 12:45 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
A preliminary investigation by the CHP suggests that a 25-year-old male from San Jose was traveling northbound in a BMW sedan with two male passengers. Simultaneously, a 32-year-old male from Castroville was traveling southbound in a Ford SUV. According to investigators, the BMW crossed into the southbound lane, resulting in a head-on collision with the Ford.
Following the impact, the driver and one passenger of the BMW fled the scene on foot. With the assistance of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and the use of a drone, authorities located two subjects hiding near a pond in the vicinity of State Route 1 and Struve Road. Both individuals were detained and identified as having been involved in the crash.
The driver of the Ford sustained fatal injuries. The driver of the BMW and a 24-year-old passenger were transported to a local hospital with suspected major injuries, while a third passenger in the BMW sustained suspected moderate injuries.
The driver of the BMW was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, manslaughter, and hit and run. The Monterey County Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the deceased pending notification of next of kin. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
