Prunedale Man Lost His Life in SR129 Collision

Watsonville, CA – A 30-year-old Firebaugh man was driving a 2019 Dodge Durango eastbound on SR-129 approaching the train trestle just west of Old Chittenden Road. A 50-year-old Salinas man was driving a 2021 Freightliner M2 behind the Dodge. The 30-year-old male began slowing for traffic. The 50-year-old man saw the Dodge slowing and attempted to slow the Freightliner. The Freightliner collided into the rear of the Dodge. This impact caused the Dodge to veer to the right and collide with a cement wall just east of the train trestle, resulting in the 30-year-old male sustaining minor injuries. Following the initial impact, the Freightliner veered into the westbound lane as a 44-year-old Prunedale man was driving a 2018 Mitsubishi Fuso box truck westbound on SR-129 just east of the train trestle. The front of the Freightliner collided into the front of the Mitsubishi. As a result of this collision, the 44-year-old male succumbed to his injuries while enroute to the hospital.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation. Alcohol and/or drugs do not appear to be a factor in this collision.

Fatal victim information is releasable through the Monterey County Sheriff Coroner’s Office.