Man killed after truck hits tree, catches fire off Hwy. 101

A man was killed Sunday afternoon when the pickup he was driving went off Highway 101, crashed into a large oak tree and became engulfed in flames.

About 3:30 p.m., a 2004 Toyota Tacoma truck was driving at high speeds on northbound Highway 101 in the No. 2 lane south of El Campo Road near Arroyo Grande, according to the California Highway Patrol. Witnesses told the CHP that the truck passed several vehicles in the No. 1 lane and was approaching a slower-moving vehicle in the No. 2 lane.

As the truck approached the slower-moving car, the driver attempted to quickly move into the No. 1 lane, but lost control of his vehicle, the CHP said.

The truck veered east across the lanes of traffic and left the road, where it collided with a large oak tree, the CHP said. The truck then became fully engulfed in flames.

Witnesses tried to approach the truck and help, but couldn’t because of the flames, the CHP said. The driver died as a result of the crash and subsequent fire.

Cal Fire assisted in extinguishing the fire and extricated the man from the vehicle.

Due to the extent of the damage, authorities haven’t yet been able to identify the driver.

The crash is under investigation; it is not known whether alcohol was a contributing factor.

This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 9:12 AM with the headline "Man killed after truck hits tree, catches fire off Hwy. 101."