Missing Moss Landing Man Killed in Car Crash Along Highway 17

Robert William Richards, a Moss Landing man who had been reported missing and reportedly last seen in Santa Cruz County, was killed in a car crash on Highway 17.

On Jan. 26, at about 3:35 p.m., CHP officers responded to a reported crash on southbound Highway 17, south of Vine Hill Road. Witnesses had noticed a wrecked car. When officers arrived they discovered Richards, 60, deceased.

When he died, and when the accident occurred is still under investigation, said Israel Murillo of the CHP. However, officers have determined the crash occurred between Jan. 21 and Jan. 26. He was reported missing by his family on Jan. 22.

Murillo said Richards was driving a red 1990 Mazda Miata at an unknown speed and for reasons, also unknown, he drove off the roadway, went down an embankment and crashed into a tree located west of southbound State Route 17.

He sustained major injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene when officers found him. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were factors in the crash.

Anyone with potentially helpful information is asked to call CHP dispatch at (831) 796-2160.