A 41-year-old Atascadero man died early Friday morning when a pickup truck collided with a center divide during a police chase on Highway 101 in San Benito County.
That chase started in the Prunedale Improvement Project area of Highway 101 at about 12:23 a.m. Friday, according to a statement released Monday from the California Highway Patrol.
A CHP officer observed the gray 2000 Toyota Tundra driving at a high rate of speed and attempted to stop the vehicle. The Atascadero driver evaded, however, and fled north on Highway 101, according to the CHP.
The pickup driver passed Cole Road in San Benito County and lost control of the vehicle, according to the CHP. He collided with the center divide and was ejected. The driver was the sole occupant and was pronounced dead at the scene.Â
The CHP reported it is unknown if drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision, which is under investigation.
Northbound Highway 101 was closed for about five hours.
As of Monday afternoon, the San Benito County coroner’s office was working to confirm the man’s family was aware of his death.
