SCOTTS VALLEY — A 37-year-old San Jose man died Sunday after crashing his motorcycle into a stationary unoccupied vehicle off of Highway 17 near Scotts Valley after the car’s driver had crashed a little while earlier and fled the scene.

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According to a release from the California Highway Patrol Santa Cruz Unit, its officers responded at about 5:20 a.m. Sunday to a crash on northbound Highway 17 north of Santas Village Road. The occupant of a gray 2012 Nissan 370Z, who is yet to be identified, was driving along the highway at an unknown speed when they veered off the roadway and collided with an advisory sign on the east side of the busy thoroughfare.

The Nissan then continued in a northerly direction and hit a call box before coming to rest in the left northbound lane of the highway before the driver got out and left the scene of the incident.

Shortly thereafter, the San Jose man riding a black 2025 Yamaha motorcycle at an undetermined speed on northbound Highway 17 collided with the rear of the Nissan and was launched from his seat. He then slammed into the road and, despite wearing a helmet and lifesaving efforts provided by first responders, was declared dead at the scene of the incident.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, according to the release, and it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor. The identity of the Nissan’s driver was also unknown, and the public’s assistance has been requested in gathering information about the crash. Those with information have been urged to call the CHP in Santa Cruz at 831-219-0200 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours calls can be made to the CHP’s Monterey communications center at 831-796-2160.