Man killed in pursuit crash on West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz – Santa Cruz Sentinel

A man riding a bicycle was in serious condition after being hit by a car in Oakland on Wednesday evening. (File)

SANTA CRUZ – A 48-year-old Santa Cruz County resident died Friday evening after his vehicle collided with rocks on West Cliff Drive east of De La Costa Avenue, according to a release from the California Highway Patrol.

The driver, whose name has not been released pending notification of next of kin, was pronounced dead at the scene following a chase near Natural Bridges State Beach.

A state park trooper attempted a traffic stop on a 1996 GMC Yukon for an expired registration at approximately 8:42 p.m. According to the CHP report, the vehicle nearly collided with a crowd while reversing.

The vehicle failed to yield to the patrol car’s lights and sirens as the pursuit began. About four minutes later, the vehicle left the road on West Cliff Drive and landed in the rocks.

The crash is still under investigation. It is not known whether alcohol or drugs were responsible for the accident.