The Tehama County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as Moise Joseph Cortez, Jr., 52.

According to a press release from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Cortez was traveling eastbound on Highway 36 at approximately 78 miles per hour in his 2004 Chevrolet 2500 pickup.

Cortez entered a left hand curve as a marked CHP vehicle was traveling in the opposite direction. Upon seeing the patrol vehicle, CHP said Cortez swerved to the right across the gravel shoulder and collided with the hillside.

Now out of control, the vehicle traveled back across the roadway and down an embankment where it collided with a tree, overturned and came to rest on its roof.

CHP said due to the extensive damage and the position of the vehicle, Cortez was trapped inside, which prevented him from getting out or emergency medical personnel from assisting him.

Cortez who was wearing his seatbelt, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.