Motorist Dies Avoiding Tree, Hits Power Pole

SARATOGA, CA -- A man died when he swerved to avoid a tree lying on northbound state Highway 35 near Castle Rock Park near Saratoga and hit a power pole this morning, the California Highway Patrol said.

Do Dang, 39, of San Jose, was driving a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta with a passenger, Kristin Eddington, 33, of Los Gatos, around 6:30 a.m. under dark, foggy, wet roadway conditions, the CHP said.

Dang swerved to avoid a tree that had fallen across the roadway, and the car went off the road and hit a power pole, according to the CHP. Emergency workers treated Dang and Eddington, who were then taken to Valley Medical Center by ambulance, the CHP said.

Dang died of internal injuries sustained in the crash, according to the CHP. No information was available about the passenger's condition.

Anyone with knowledge of the incident is asked to call the San Jose CHP at 408-467-5400 and ask to speak with Officer B. Vanderberg.

--Bay City News/Image via Shutterstock