Crime & Safety
UPDATED: Highway 17 Reopens After Fatality Accident
CHP is advising motorists to take alternate routes.
Updated: A head-on fatality collision at Laurel Road closed Highway 17 northbound and southbound for several hours Friday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.
As of 2:20 p.m. the highway was reopened in both directions.
The accident, involving a Toyota 4Runner SUV and a compact sedan, happened at around 10:43 a.m. leaving the driver of the sedan dead and others with serious injuries, according to CHP Officer Sarah Jackson.
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The sedan was heading southound at the time of the accident when it crossed through a gap in the center divide at Laurel and hit the northbound SUV head-on. Two other vehicles received minor damage attempting to avoid the collision.
"Please urge everyone to slow down on wet roadways. Your life depends on it," Jackson said.
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Scotts Valley Police and Caltrans diverted northbound and southbound traffic . CHP is advising motorists to avoid the highway or take alternate routes, such as Highway 152, Highway 1 or Soquel San Jose Road to Summit Road.
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