By Khalida Sarwari
An Atascadero man died in a collision Tuesday afternoon on state Highway 156 near Hollister, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The 56-year-old victim was driving a Toyota Tacoma on Highway 156 east of Bixby Road when for an unknown reason he veered into the westbound lane of the highway at about 2:30 p.m.
As a Freightliner Century going west tried to steer away from the Toyota by turning to the right, the right front of the Toyota collided into the left front of the Freightliner, CHP officials said.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The passenger in the Toyota, a 20-year-old Atascadero man, was transported to San Jose Regional Medical Center for precautionary reasons.
The driver of the Freightliner, a 39-year-old Missouri man, was taken to Hazel Hawkins Hospital for a complaint of pain to the chest.
It is not known whether alcohol or drugs were factors.
The San Benito Sheriff’s Office and fire department also responded.