A San Lorenzo man who died Wednesday morning in an early morning crash on U.S. Highway 101 has been identified as Jorge Prieto, the San Mateo County coroner's office said.
Prieto, 48, was driving a 1995 Ford Explorer south on Highway 101 at about 5:20 a.m. when he lost control on the wet roadway as he passed under the Hillsdale Boulevard overcrossing, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The car spun around, went over a paved concrete divider that separates the highway from the Hillsdale Boulevard on-ramp, and struck the metering light. The SUV then slid off the roadway and came to rest in a nearby grassy area, CHP officials said.
San Mateo Fire Department paramedics pronounced the driver dead at the scene. His passenger, a 47-year-old man who also lives in San Lorenzo, complained of pain and was taken to Stanford Hospital.
CHP investigators do not believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.
--Bay City News
