Police say a head-on collision on Highway 17, which left one woman dead, was intentional. “There was an element of premeditation,” said Highway Patrol officer Sarah Jackson. Eric Weers, 29, of Soquel, was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Police say a head-on collision on Highway 17, which left one woman dead, was intentional. “There was an element of premeditation,” said Highway Patrol officer Sarah Jackson. Eric Weers, 29, of Soquel, was arrested on suspicion of murder.
The incident occurred shortly after 3pm on Monday. Weers entered Highway 17 near Ocean Street with his 2001 Acura, driving intentionally against traffic. Within minutes his car slammed head-on into a Chrysler Concorde driven by an unnamed 49-year-old woman from Santa Cruz. According to some eyewitnesses, he crossed through two lanes of traffic to hit the vehicle. Though his own car burst into flames, Weers was uninjured. The woman died on the spot.
Police have yet to release a motive for the crime, and have not yet determined whether Weers was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He will be charged with murder, assault with a deadly weapon, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and driving the wrong way on a divided highway.
The incident, and efforts to put out the ensuing fire, caused major delays during the afternoon rush hour on both Highway 17 and Highway 1, as well as on surface roads throughout the area. Read more at Santa Cruz Sentinel and KION.
