Driver Killed In State Route 9 Crash

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA -- A 52-year-old Boulder Creek woman died when her car crashed into a utility pole in the unincorporated Santa Cruz County area of Ben Lomond this morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash was reported at about 9:25 a.m. on state Highway 9 north of Highlands County Park.

The woman, whose name has not been released, was driving her 2006 Ford Freestyle south on Highway 9 when for some reason the Ford crossed into the northbound lane, left the roadway, and struck and sheared the pole, CHP officials said.

The pole came to rest atop the Ford. The woman was taken to Dominican Hospital and has died, while a 46-year-old male passenger in the Ford suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Santa Clara Valley Medical
Center, according to the CHP.

The crash remains under investigation and no other information was immediately released.

--Bay City News/Photo courtesy of California Highway Patrol