Truck Driver Killed In Highway 17 Accident Near Los Gatos Is Identified

LOS GATOS - A 27-year-old man driving a truck that crashed into an embankment off of state Highway 17 south of Los Gatos on Wednesday afternoon has been identified as 27-year-old Matthew Estrada of Fremont, according to the Santa Clara County medical examiner's office.

Estrada was behind the wheel of a Durastar flatbed truck on northbound Highway 17 past Lexington Reservoir around 1:30 p.m., when he drove off the road, California Highway Patrol Officer Ross Lee said.

The truck went down an embankment toward Los Gatos Creek and struck a water main coming from the reservoir before it stopped, Lee said.

Also on Patch: Truck Driver Killed Near Los Gatos When Flatbed Careens Off Highway 17

Witnesses who were driving on the freeway stopped to assist, according to Lee.

Emergency crews responded and arrived to the scene where they attempted to help the man, who was drifting in and out of consciousness, Lee said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Lee.

No other injuries were reported.

Investigators are looking into what led the truck to leave the freeway and whether the driver was wearing a seatbelt, Lee said.

-By Bay City News Service, image via ShutterStock