William Westerman Dies in Fatal Santa Cruz Car Crash
Fatal Santa Cruz car crash death of William Westerman
William Westerman, a 65-year-old resident of Scotts Valley, died following a crash that occurred at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf on Sunday morning. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office officially identified the deceased man Monday afternoon.
Floral tributes were placed near the wharf by Monday, specifically at the location where the vehicle lost control. City crews were also reported to be actively repairing the damaged infrastructure at that point.
Emergency personnel were dispatched around 9:49 a.m. on Sunday after receiving reports of a vehicle breaching the wharf’s protective railing and entering Monterey Bay. Responding teams discovered significant damage, noting approximately 15 feet of the barrier was missing and a minivan was fully submerged.
A multi-agency rescue operation was initiated, deploying thirteen trained rescuers, two specialized personal watercraft, and two boats. Crews managed to gain access to the vehicle by breaking a window, allowing them to reach the unconscious driver. Medical treatment was provided en route to Dominican Hospital, where Westerman was pronounced dead.
Santa Cruz County Animal Control Services temporarily took custody of a canine found in the water, whose presence inside the vehicle could not be verified.
The Santa Cruz Fire Department operated alongside numerous partners during the incident, including the local police, Scotts Valley Fire Department, Central Fire District, Harbor Patrol, American Medical Response, the U.S. Coast Guard, and California State Parks. This extensive network confirmed no other people were involved and that the environment was not endangered.
The local police are still examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, with particular focus on the vehicle’s speed and potential causes that led to the wharf crossing.
