Driver dies in Santa Cruz Mountains park ranger pursuit

(KRON) — A California State Parks ranger was chasing a driver in the Santa Cruz Mountains on Highway 9 when the driver lost control, slammed into a tree, and died Thursday night.

The black Mazda 3’s driver, a 36-year-old Boulder Creek man, was pronounced dead at the crash scene, CHP officers said. The pursuit began at 10:17 p.m. on Highway 9 near Two Bar Road.

The park ranger attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Mazda 3. CHP officers did not say why the traffic stop was originally initiated. “The vehicle failed to yield to the patrol vehicle’s lights, initiating a brief pursuit,” the CHP wrote.

The fleeing Mazda veered off Highway 9 near Juanita Road and crashed into a tree, according to investigators.

“It is believed that alcohol was a factor in this crash,” the CHP wrote. Law enforcement officials did not release the man’s name on Friday.

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