1 dead after vehicle drives off Santa Cruz wharf; dog rescued

By Jose Fabian

The Santa Cruz Fire Department said one person died after a vehicle they were in went off the municipal wharf on Sunday morning.

Around 9:45 a.m., crews responded to a report of a vehicle driving off the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf.

Crews from various agencies, including State Parks and police, were at the scene. Rescue crews were able to extricate one person from the vehicle that was submerged about 30 feet in water and on its roof.

The person was rushed to the hospital, where they later died, fire crews said. Their identification has not been released. 

A dog found in the water is safe and now in county control, crews said. It’s unclear at this time how the dog was brought to the wharf, firefighters said. 

The fire department said there were no other injuries. 

The Santa Cruz Police Department is handling the crash investigation.