Concord Man Killed in Car Accident Near Santa Cruz

A 21-year-old Concord man was killed in car accident early this morning during wet weather conditions on state Highway 17 near Santa Cruz, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The man, whose name has not yet been released, was headed south on the highway near Pasatiempo Drive when his 1998 Honda Civic went off the slick roadway and crashed into a tree, CHP spokesman Brad Sadek said.

The driver, who was alone in the car, died at the scene, Sadek said.

Officers were unable to pinpoint the exact time the crash happened because there were no witnesses, but they later learned that the man had left his home at about 4:30 a.m., Sadek said.

The off-ramp from Highway 17 to Pasatiempo Drive was closed for about two and a half hours during the investigation into the accident, Sadek said.

The slickness of the pavement likely contributed to the crash, Sadek said.