California

Driver Killed After Car Smashes Into Tree, Three Passengers Injured

One person died and three others were injured after a car slammed into a tree early Sunday in San Mateo.

The crash, which was reported just after 2 a.m., happened along U.S. Highway 101 near the 3rd Avenue exit, a California Highway Patrol officer said.

Upon arrival, officers learned a BMW coupe traveling in the highway's northbound lanes attempted to exit the highway. When the driver exited onto the Third Avenue off-ramp, he somehow lost control of the vehicle, causing it to go off the roadway and crash into a tree, according to the CHP.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, CHP officials said.

The car's three passengers, all San Mateo residents, were taken to a hospital. Two passengers, a 21-year-old and 22-year-old, suffer minor injuries, while the third passenger, a 21-year-old suffered major injuries.

Law enforcement officials are currently investigating the fatal crash and say that, along with a number of other potential factors, speeding and alcohol could have caused the collision.

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