WATSONVILLE — A solo motorcycle crash Wednesday near Watsonville claimed the life of a San Jose woman who was the passenger and led to the arrest of the driver.
Santa Cruz units from the California Highway Patrol responded around 7:15 p.m. to reports of a crash on northbound Highway 1 where it meets Highway 129 in South County, according to a social media release from the local agency.
Investigators learned that a 59-year-old man driving a 2021 Harley Davidson motorcycle and carrying a 65-year-old woman passenger — both from San Jose — was heading north on the highway when he lost control of the bike and drove off the roadway. The Harley then overturned and launched both of its riders out of their seats.
Both the driver and passenger sustained major injuries from the crash, but the passenger was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene of the incident despite life-saving efforts, while the driver was transported to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas for treatment.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, but alcohol and/or drugs are being investigated as possible factors, according to the release. The bike’s driver was placed under arrest and was still in custody as of Thursday.
Anyone with potentially helpful information about the crash was asked to contact CHP at 831-796-2160.