[03-27-2022] Santa Cruz County, CA – 48-Year-Old Man Killed in Fatal Crash on Cayuga Street

According to Santa Cruz police, a man was killed when the vehicle he was a passenger in collided with a utility pole in Santa Cruz early Sunday morning, March 27, 2022.

The police arrived at 5:45 a.m. at the intersection of Cayuga and Effey streets to find a car had collided with a pole, trapping two men inside.

The men, both Santa Cruz County residents, were extricated from the car by Santa Cruz Fire.

The 48-year-old passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver, 38, was taken to Valley Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

According to the preliminary investigation, the vehicle was speeding southbound on Cayuga Street when it collided with the utility pole.

Traffic investigators shut down a section of Cayuga Street between Broadway and Hanover Street, causing several hours of traffic delays.

There are no other details available. The crash remains under investigation.

Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash Statistics

Some of California’s most dangerous types of motor vehicle accidents are single-vehicle collisions, but many drivers are unaware of this fact.

According to the NHTSA, 62% of all fatal car accidents in California involve only one vehicle. Since California has the most single-vehicle accidents, drivers need to be aware of the various factors at play.

A single-vehicle collision can occur for a variety of reasons. It is common for a single-car accident to occur if the driver is speeding or making sharp turns on a wet or slippery road and loses control. It is possible to find debris on the road, such as a large branch or an object that fell from the back of a truck.

An accident caused by something that is not your or another driver’s fault, like a deer jumping in front of your vehicle, will likely limit your compensation under your comprehensive insurance policy.

Santa Cruz County Car Accident Lawyer for Victims of Crash

Because of their injuries, many car accident victims are unable to return to work or school. When someone dies as a result of the negligence of another driver, that person is still held accountable for their actions. The surviving family members of the victim can file wrongful death lawsuits against the driver who was negligent and, as a result, caused the victim’s death (or legal heirs).

It’s difficult for them to go through the motions of grieving and reliving their experiences. Victims must testify about their losses in front of strangers in depositions and trials. After months or years of work, a case might finally be settled. This is exhausting and can significantly negatively impact one’s mental health.

It is critical to hold negligent drivers accountable if they cause an accident. Accountability is critical when a high death toll was caused by negligence. While wrongful death claims can be emotionally draining, they can also provide a measure of closure for the families of those who have died. This is good news for everyone who drives in California.

Our Santa Cruz County car accident lawyers at Arash Law have more than two decades of combined experience and more than $750 million in verdicts and settlements for clients throughout California. It doesn’t matter if you live in Sacramento or Sherman Oaks; we have clients who come to us from all over the state of California. Call (888) 488-1391 or visit our website to schedule a free consultation.