One person is dead and another hospitalized following solo vehicle crash near Coalinga, CHP says

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. -- One person has died, and a second is hospitalized following a solo vehicle crash near Coalinga.

The California Highway Patrol responded to a crash shortly before 3:00 a.m. on Thursday on Interstate 5, north of State Route 145.

Authorities say a Mercedes veered into the center median, crossed into southbound lanes, hit a guardrail, and went down an embankment.

The driver was killed at the scene, and a passenger suffered major injuries.

The cause is under investigation.