Three arrested in deadly shooting on Highway 101 near Salinas

SALINAS, Calif. (AP) -- One person was killed Wednesday in a shooting on Highway 101 that shut down the roadway for hours.

Authorities arrested three suspects, whose identities were not immediately released, half an hour after the 2:45 p.m. shooting, Monterey County sheriff's deputies said.

The California Highway Patrol quickly made the arrests in nearby Prunedale because extra officers happened to be in the area for seat belt checks. A witness directed officers to the pickup truck that carried the alleged shooter.

The shooting in the north of Salinas unfolded, according to sheriff's deputies, when three people in their early 20s pulled beside a Honda and one occupant opened fire. The driver, who was alone in the car, was shot in the head and killed.

Investigators weren't immediately sure what motivated the shooting.

"They're trying to sort everything out," said sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Galletti.

Authorities said they recovered a handgun from the truck.

All northbound lanes of Highway 101 near the Boronda exit were closed until 6:30 p.m. as authorities tried to figure out what happened. Southbound lanes were also closed for hours.