Crime & Safety

CHP: Teen Driver Lost Control Before Deadly Crash

The Renaissance High student died driving home from school Friday afternoon.

Cynthia Madrigal left Renaissance High school Friday afternoon in her 2000 Volkswagen Beetle and drove south on San Andreas Road, a common route to head back into Watsonville from the continuation high school near La Selva Beach.

Madrigal, who hadn't put on her seat belt, was about two miles from the school when allowed her white Bug to veer into oncoming traffic, triggering , according to information released by the California Highway Patrol on Monday.

"For some unknown reason, she lost control and crossed over the double-yellow lines," CHP officer Sarah Jackson said Monday.

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A 67-year-old Watsonville man was driving his 2004 Chevy pickup north on San Andreas Road at the same time, around 1:20 p.m. He was driving about 25 mph when Cynthia's car came into his lane near Sunset Beach Road, the CHP reported.

The pickup broadsided the passenger side of Cynthia's Bug, crumpling the smaller vehicle. The force of the impact instantly killed the teenager.

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The other driver suffered minor injuries.

The CHP is still investigating several aspects of the accident, namely Cynthia's speed and what could have caused her to cross into oncoming traffic. Toxicology test results are also pending, though Jackson said she was hopeful no drugs or alcohol were involved since Cynthia was coming home from school.In addition, was a report of a black pickup—unknown make and model—in the area at the time. Jackson said she didn't know what role, if any, that vehicle had in the accident.

"That's all being investigated," Jackson said.

San Andreas Road is a rural, two-lane thoroughfare that cuts through rolling hills and agriculture land. The crash happened near a strawberry farm.

"I would just encourage teens to use their seat belts," Jackson said, explaining that young people are less likely to buckle up than adults, but get into more traffic accidents than older people. "They need to be really aware."

Cynthia, who lived in Freedom, worked at . The fast food restaurant is taking donations to help her family cover funeral costs.

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