Highway 17 Fatal Crash Victim Identified

A man who died in a crash on state Highway 17 at Laurel Road on Friday morning has been identified by the Santa Cruz County coroner's office as 57-year-old Gerard Wener, of Brentwood.

The crash was reported at 10:43 a.m. Friday on Highway 17 north of Scotts Valley.

Wener was driving south in a gray 2005 Nissan Altima when he somehow lost control and crossed into northbound traffic, according to the CHP.

The Nissan struck the side of a Chevrolet Suburban and spun around, then hit the front of a Toyota 4Runner, CHP officials said.

The 4Runner then collided with the side of an Acura Integra.

Wener was pronounced dead at the scene, and two adults and a 5-year-old in the 4Runner were injured and were taken to Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz.

The occupants of the Chevrolet and the Acura were not injured.

The crash shut down northbound Highway 17 and one southbound lane for about three hours. The CHP is still investigating what caused Wener to lose control but reminded motorists to slow down in inclement weather.

—By Bay City New Service