HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA – July 10, 2024 – Hollister Police close portions of roadways while they investigate a fatal traffic collision.
On July 9th, 2024, approximately 9:10pm, our dispatch center began receiving calls that a vehicle had crashed into a light pole on Pinnacles National Park Highway (Highway 25) at the intersection with Hillcrest Road. We received multiple calls stating the vehicle was on fire and a crowd was gathering around it.
Members of the Hollister Police Department (HPD), Hollister Fire Department (HFD), American Medical Response (AMR), and the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office (SBSO) responded to the scene. The first responders on scene found the vehicle severely crushed around the southwest traffic light pole however it was not on fire.
The driver, and solo occupant, was found trapped in the vehicle. The driver had suffered fatal injuries in the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
During our investigation, HPD officers were told by multiple witnesses that the vehicle had been driving at a high rate of speed (75-100MPH) southbound on Hwy 25 from Gilroy and passing vehicles on the right shoulder. As the driver approached the intersection of Hwy 25 and Hillcrest Rd., southbound traffic had a red traffic signal while east and westbound traffic had a green traffic signal. The driver passed a vehicle on the right side that was stopped for the red light. A vehicle traveling westbound on Hillcrest Rd. collided with the rear end of the speeding vehicle causing it to spin sideways and collide with the traffic pole.
Southbound Hwy 25 from Meridian St. to Park St. and Hillcrest Rd. from Industrial Dr. to Hwy 25 were closed during the investigation. All roadways were reopened at 12:15am on the 10th. The identity of the driver will not be released pending notification of next of kin.
The emergency responders of San Benito County appeal to our drivers to please slow down, obey all traffic laws, and always drive defensively.
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Prepared by: C. Wells, Senior Officer
Approved by: Carlos Reynoso, Chief of Police
