Driver Killed in Crash After Short Chase Near Natural Bridges State Beach – KION546

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) – The CHP announced there was a fatal car accident in Santa Cruz Friday evening.

The agency said that at about 8:42 p.m., a state parks trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a white 1996 GMC Yukon because the car nearly backed into a crowd at Natural Bridges State Beach. The car’s registration also allegedly expired.

The driver was unable to stop and after an approximately four-minute chase on West Cliff Drive east of De La Costa Avenue, the Yukon left the road and struck rocks. Santa Cruz police and firefighters also responded and made multiple attempts to extract and rescue the driver. However, the 48-year-old man died at the scene of the accident.

According to the CHP, the cause of the crash is under investigation; It is unclear whether drugs or alcohol were involved.