Driver killed in River Road head-on crash near Highway 101

A driver was killed Friday morning when his vehicle slammed head-on into an oncoming garbage truck on River Road near Highway 101.

The driver of the 1994 Honda Civic was pronounced dead at the scene from the 4:44 a.m. collision, CHP spokesman David deRutte said. His name was being withheld pending notification of family members.

The Recology truck was heading westbound on River Road and going over an overpass near the southbound 101 exit when the trash truck driver saw the Honda coming directly at him in the wrong lane. The Recology driver slammed on his brakes, and the Honda tried to swerve back into the correct lane, but it was too late and the Honda driver collided into the truck, deRutte said.

The driver of the garbage truck was not injured in the collision, deRutte said, and he did not appear to be at fault for the crash.

Staff Writer Andrew Beale contributed to this story.