19-year-old motorcyclist dies in crash that shut down Highway 1 near Santa Cruz
A 19-year-old man motorcyclist died in a crash in the Santa Cruz area that shut down Highway 1 Saturday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol said.
Around 1 p.m., the CHP said it was investigating a crash involving a car and motorcycle on Highway 1 near Laguna Road. About 20 minutes later, officers said both directions of the highway were shut down.
An investigation revealed that a 19-year-old man from Milpitas was riding a 2005 Suzuki motorcycle when he crashed into the rear of a red 2011 Mini Cooper on southbound Highway 1.
The rider was thrown off the motorcycle and landed on the ground. The CHP said he died at the scene.
The driver of the Mini Cooper was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
It's not known if DUI was a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.