County Coroner IDs Motorist Killed Near Henry Cowell Redwood State Park

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA – A man who died in a car crash southwest of Boulder Creek in Santa Cruz County early Thursday morning has been identified as 29-year-old Enrique Gonzales of Bonny Doon, according to the Santa Cruz County coroner's office.

Gonzales was in a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer heading south on Empire Grade Road near Alba Road around 1 a.m. when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree, California Highway Patrol officials said.

The crash happened near Henry Cowell Redwood State Park's Fall Creek Unit.

A passerby saw the car was off the road, stopped to assist and dialed 911, CHP officials said.

Officers and emergency crews responded to the scene where they found Gonzales, who was pronounced dead about 30 minutes after the crash, according to the CHP.

It's not clear if drugs or alcohol contributed to the accident, CHP officials said.

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