MONTEREY, Calif- The Monterey Police Department says Highway 68 is back open after a fatal accident around 9:30 a.m. Sunday.
The crash closed 68 between Highway 218 and Olmsted Road in both directions.
At least one person is dead and two were taken to the hospital.
Police say two cars were involved and it may have been a head on collision.
One car went off the road and down the embankment.
As of now, the names of the victims are not being released.
Fire officials told Central Coast News thousands of vehicles travel Highway 68 every day and said this crash will impact events happening on the central coast, Sunday.
"This is a heavily traveled highway on a normal day, let alone having all of these additional events going on," said Division Chief Felix Colello, City of Monterey Fire Department. "It's going to back things up a lot more."
The crash left folks taking alternate routes.
"We tried to get in from the Olmstead side of 68 and consequently the road was blocked and there was a detour so we go around and said we're going the back way to church," said Charles Carter. "We went around the other way and we found out it was blocked off."
Fire officials said they tried to put the word out as soon as possible because they know how heavily traveled this road is especially during this busy Sunday.
"We put it out over our am radio station on am 1610 so people have some warning that they're going to be diverted and delayed," said Colello.
One of the events going on is the Monterey Jazz Festival. Central Coast News had the chance to stop by and talk with one of the directors. He said he's sure the crash had some effect on attendance, but not enough to make a huge difference.
Highway 68 reopened shortly after 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
