SANTA CLARA >> A 51-year-old Santa Clara man was killed in a traffic collision Wednesday night at Highway 101 and Montague Expressway in Santa Clara, the California Highway Patrol said.

The solo-vehicle crash happened about 8:53 p.m. when a 2000 Mercedes-Benz ML430 ran off the Montague Expressway off-ramp from northbound Highway 101 and hit a tree, the CHP said in a news release.

The driver — and sole occupant — of the SUV suffered fatal injuries, the CHP said.

The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will release the man’s identity after it is confirmed and his next of kin is identified.

The CHP said alcohol appeared to be a factor in the crash.

The Montague Expressway off-ramp from northbound Highway 101 was closed for an investigation.