Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Oakley man fatally struck by car in Knightsen Wednesday evening

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By CHP – Contra Costa

On Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at about 7:37pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a vehicle vs. pedestrian traffic collision at Delta Road and Curlew Connex in Knightsen. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, it was determined that a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo hit a pedestrian that was in the roadway. The 56-year-old male pedestrian of Oakley was pronounced deceased at the scene and the driver of the Isuzu remained on scene.

In the initial investigation, it appears that the solo male driver of the Isuzu was traveling westbound on Delta Road just west of Curlew Connex at 40 mph. The area has low visibility and is dark without any streetlights. The pedestrian was in the roadway as the Isuzu approached and by the time the driver of the Isuzu saw the pedestrian, it was too late and collided into him. The male pedestrian sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene. The 28yr old male driver from Georgia remained on scene and was cooperative in the investigation.

Alcohol or drugs are not a factor in this collision is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980. Thank you.

CHP Officer struck by vehicle during traffic stop on eastbound Hwy 4, Monday night

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The damaged motorcycle of a CHP Officer who was injured in a crash on eastbound Hwy 4, Monday night, Jan. 15, 2018. Screenshots from NBC Bay Area News report.

Three of the eight vehicles damaged by the three, chain-reaction crashes.

According to the CHP – Contra Costa Facebook page, “This evening at about 6:15 pm, one of our CHP Officers was involved in a traffic collision at SR-4 eastbound and Port Chicago Highway (in Concord). He suffered major injuries, non-life threatening, and was transported to a local hospital. The scene is still active for the investigation. We have no further details at this time, but we will advise when we do. Thank you.”

Further reports on NBC Bay Area TV Channel 3 News and ABC7 News he was a motorcycle officer, and an SUV flipped an landed on the officer including a broken leg. It set off a chain reaction including at least eight cars and three separate crashes. It backed up traffic on Highway 4 for miles.

School bus collides with three cars causing numerous injuries in El Sobrante Tuesday morning

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CHP vehicles block San Pablo Dam Road near Lois Lane in El Sobrante following a collision involving a school bus and three other vehicles, Tuesday morning, Jan. 9, 2017. Photo by CHP-Contra Costa

Today, Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at about 8:11 am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a four-vehicle traffic collision in El Sobrante on San Pablo Dam Road at Lois Lane involving a School Bus with children on board. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, it was determined that a school bus, a white Chevrolet Silverado, a black Volkswagen Bug, and a white Ford F-150 were involved in the collision. In total, 13 people were transported for a variety of injuries. The entire roadway was shut down for numerous hours for the investigation and clean up but has since been reopened.

In the initial investigation, it appears the Volkswagen was northbound on San Pablo Dam road in the #1 lane and the Chevrolet truck was directly behind it traveling the same direction and approaching the intersection of Lois Lane. At the same location but on the southbound side, the School bus was traveling in the #1 lane and the Ford truck was next to it in the #2 lane. For unknown reasons the driver of the Volkswagen suddenly slowed nearly to a stop and the approaching Chevrolet truck was unable to slow and avoid the Volkswagen. The Chevrolet collided with the rear of the Volkswagen pushing it to the left and into the southbound lanes, directly in front of the oncoming Ford truck. The Ford impacted the Volkswagen in a “T-bone” manner pushing it out of the roadway and subsequently causing the driver of the Ford to lose control and spin into the southbound #1 lane facing wrong way, directly in front of the School bus. Then the school bus collided head on with the wrong way facing Ford truck.

Here are the number of injured parties transported to local hospitals from each vehicle;

-Solo driver of Volkswagen transported for major injuries

-Solo driver of Chevrolet transported for minor injuries

-3 occupants of the Ford transported. 2 with minor injuries and one classified as major injuries.

-7 children from the School bus all transported for minor/precautionary reasons

-School bus driver, who is 34 weeks pregnant, transported for precautionary reasons only due to the pregnancy

Alcohol or drugs do not seem to be a factor in this collission but it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, and contact Officer Mendoza. (925) 646-4980. Thank you.

And please be aware of the wet roadway conditions from all this rain and give yourself enough space to safely stop, SLOW DOWN, and give yourself ample time to get to your destination. Drive safe.

Emergency crews rescue man who crashed car down deep embankment in Byron Tuesday evening

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The driver’s vehicle where it ended down the deep embankment off the Byron Highway, Tuesday evening. Photos by ECCFPD.

Transported to trauma center by medical helicopter

By Allen Payton

A man was able to extricate himself from his heavily damaged car after driving it off the Byron Highway and down a 25-foot, steep embankment Tuesday evening about 5:36 p.m. Seven East Contra Costa Fire personnel arrived on the scene and located the man near his car, near Holey Road in Byron.

East Contra Costa Fire personnel prepare driver for transport by helicopter to the trauma center.

According to the report by Battalion Chief Jack Gonzales, the rescue crew “secured the scene with the use of fire apparatus” and the driver “was provided medical aid and packaged in a stokes basket for a low-angle rescue.”

“AMR provided ALS care” to the man who was then “brought up to the roadway and was transferred to REACH3 (helicopter) for transport,” the report further states.

The driver was by himself in the vehicle and sustained “head and chest trauma” and “was transported…to John Muir Trauma Center in Walnut Creek.”

The accident, which backed up traffic on the Byron Highway, is under investigation by the CHP.

Brentwood man dies in motorcycle accident on Antioch freeway Saturday night

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Fellow motorcyclists leave scene before CHP arrives

Saturday night, August 26, 2017 at about 8:28 pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a traffic collision on the southbound lanes of SR-160 at the Wilbur Avenue on-ramp. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, the male rider of the motorcycle had been ejected into the lanes of traffic on SR-160 and hit by another vehicle. The male rider was pronounced deceased at the scene. The southbound lanes of SR-160 were closed for approximately two hours for the collision investigation while traffic was diverted to the Wilbur Avenue off-ramp.

In the initial investigation and with the help of several witnesses, it appears that the solo male driver of the motorcycle (a 54-year-old male from Brentwood) was traveling on the Wilbur Avenue on-ramp and entering southbound SR-160 with several other motorcyclists. It appears the male rider drove over the gore point on the on-ramp to enter SR-160 and collided with the curb, subsequently ejecting him from his motorcycle. He was catapulted into the lanes of southbound traffic where he was struck by another vehicle, while his motorcycle continued into the lanes of traffic as well and was also struck by another vehicle. The rider was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The other vehicles that were involved in this collision stopped and remained at the scene. But the reported other motorcyclists riding with the 54-year-old man left the scene prior to CHP and emergency personnel arrival and have not been located.

At this time, it is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision but it’s still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it on Wilbur Avenue, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980, and Investigating Officer T. Johnson.

Three-car collision in Brentwood takes life of 95-year-old, Sunday afternoon

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Sunday, July 23 at about 4:11 p.m., Contra Costa CHP was advised of a collision at the intersection of Vasco Road/Highway 4 and Marsh Creek Road in Brentwood. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, it was determined that three vehicles in total were involved and several parties were transported to local hospitals for injuries. Unfortunately, a 95-year-old female passenger succumbed to her injuries while at the hospital.

In the initial investigation, it appears that a red Cadillac sedan was traveling on southbound SR-4 Bypass, approaching the intersection of Marsh Creek Road, and continuing south to Vasco Road.

Meanwhile a white Hyundai sedan was on Marsh Creek Road and preparing to make a left turn onto southbound Vasco Road at the intersection. Both vehicles entered the intersection and the red Cadillac struck the side of the white Hyundai. The Hyundai careened through the intersection and collided with a light pole. The Cadillac then collided with a black Honda that was stopped on the other side of the intersection, only causing minor damage.

According to East Contra Costa Fire (ECCFD) Interim Battalion Chief Ross Macumber, firefighters extricated a victim from one of the vehicles, and established a “helispot”.

The female driver and female passenger of the Cadillac were both transported for minor injuries to Sutter Delta hospital in Antioch. The driver of the black Honda was uninjured.

The male driver and 95-year-old passenger from the Hyundai were both transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek with injuries. One patient was transported by CALSTAR helicopter. Unfortunately, while at the hospital, the 95-year-old passenger’s condition worsened and she succumbed to her injuries and died at 7:13 p.m. The male driver of the Hyundai is in stable condition.

Alcohol or drugs are not a factor in this collision. The cause of this intersection collision and the status of green light vs. red light is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, or was at the intersection at the time of the collision, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez and Officer Smith, the investigating officer, at (925) 646-4980.

See the ECCFD incident report, here: HWY4-MarshCreekMVA

Fatal collision on Taylor Blvd between Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, Saturday morning

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On Saturday, July 22, 2017 at about 10:14 a.m., Contra Costa CHP was advised of a two-vehicle traffic collision on southbound Taylor Boulevard, just north of Withers Avenue. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, it was determined that a Toyota minivan collided with a Lexus sedan, which caused the Lexus to overturn. A male passenger in the front right seat of the Lexus was partially ejected and pronounced deceased at the scene. The deceased passenger has not yet been identified.

In the initial investigation, it appears that the solo female driver of the Toyota minivan was traveling southbound on Taylor Boulevard and for unknown reasons, the driver veered from her lane to the left and her Toyota collided with the Lexus sedan, subsequently causing the Lexus to overturn. The male passenger of the Lexus was partially ejected from the Lexus. The driver and another passenger of the Lexus both sustain non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to John Muir Walnut Creek Hospital. The driver of the Toyota minivan was uninjured.

Alcohol or drugs are not a factor in this collision. This collision is still under investigation and if anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.

Oakley man drives stolen vehicle wrong way on Hwy 4 between Antioch and Brentwood, causes Sat. night crash sending eight to hospital

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Screenshots from KRON4 News video of Highway 4 crash between Antioch and Brentwood, Sat., July 15, 2017.

Car stolen in Concord

By Brandon Correia, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa CHP

Saturday night, July 15, 2017 at about 8:07 p.m., Contra Costa CHP was advised of a head-on collision at HWY4 at Sand Creek Road in Brentwood, with the report of injuries. Upon CHP arrival, it was learned that multiple parties had suffered major injuries. It was determined that one of the vehicles involved was a reported stolen vehicle out of Concord from the same day, a 1994 gold Honda Accord – License#7RAE887 – and that …the gold Honda was traveling the wrong way on HWY4. Two parties had to be air-lifted to trauma centers.

A 2015 Honda Odyssey van with seven occupants was traveling westbound on HWY4, just west of Sand Creek Road. The stolen gold Honda Accord entered the westbound lanes of HWY4, traveling wrong way-eastbound in the westbound lanes-from Lone Tree Way. The suspect vehicle was reported at a high rate of speed and passing multiple vehicles in the wrong way direction until ultimately colliding head-on with the Honda Odyssey. HWY4 was briefly shut down for the investigation.

Injured people from the 2015 Honda Odyssey are listed as follows: The driver, a 30-year-old Asian male adult, out of San Francisco, sustained moderate injuries. Passengers: a 34yr old Asian female adult, out of San Francisco, sustained minor injuries. A female baby, 1yr old-out of San Francisco, just for precaution. A 61-year-old Asian Adult female, out of San Francisco, sustained major injuries but is in stable condition. A 2-year-old Asian Female baby, out of San Francisco, sustained minor injuries. A 72-year-old Asian Adult female, out of San Francisco, sustained minor injuries. A 10-year-old Asian female juvenile, out of San Francisco, sustained minor injuries. All injured parties from the minivan were taken to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek.

The suspect vehicle’s passenger, a 22-year-old white male adult, out of Oakley, was transported to Eden hospital in Dublin with major injuries but is in stable condition.

The suspect driver, 24-year-old Rafael Duarte (DOB-11-16-92), out of Oakley, was transported to John Muir Walnut Creek for minor injuries. Upon his release from the hospital, Duarte was arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for the following charges; Felony DUI, possession and driving of a stolen vehicle, unlicensed drivers license, no vehicle insurance, and driving wrong way on the highway causing injury.

Asked about the victims of the collision, Brandon Correia, Public Information Officer for Contra Costa CHP said, “they’re all in stable condition. The passenger in the gold Honda had major injuries, but they’re not life threatening.”

This is an ongoing investigation and if anyone witnessed this collision or has information regarding it, please contact CHP-Contra Costa in Martinez at (925) 646-4980.

See video of the crash scene on KRON4.com.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

CHP identifies person of interest in Friday night hit and run collision in Concord killing two San Pablo boys

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LEMUEL SIRVONN WILSON, Jr. Photo courtesy of DMV

Friday night, June 30, 2017, at about 10:55 pm an Infiniti sedan collided with a Dodge Durango on the Solano Avenue on-ramp to SR-4 in Concord and subsequently killed two young children and injury two others.

At 10:55pm, a silver 2004 Infiniti sedan was traveling on SR-4 westbound at an unknown rate of speed and traveling towards the Solano Avenue off-ramp. At the same time, a grey 2006 Dodge Durango was traveling on the on-ramp from Solano Avenue to SR-4 westbound, which is adjacent to the off-ramp. It is unclear why, at this time, but the driver of the silver Infiniti drove off the roadway of the off-ramp and directly towards the Durango. The front end of the Infiniti slammed into the left rear of the Durango. The collision was so severe the Durango was pushed sideways down to the edge of the on-ramp and the Infiniti was catapulted over the dividing fence and into the parking lot of Kinder’s where it came to rest just feet from the front door.

Sadly, a 10-year-old boy and five-year-old boy from the Durango were both ejected and tragically died at the scene. The three-month-old remained in its car seat but sustained major injuries and was transported to Oakland Children’s Hospital. The driver, 35-year-old mother, sustained major injuries and was transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. This family resides in San Pablo.

Witnesses on scene said the driver of the Infiniti fled on foot across the highway and ran towards the Solano drive-in movie theater located at Arnold Industrial Place. The fleeing driver was described as a black male adult, lanky build about 5’10”-6’1″, with short black hair and wearing a gray or dirty white shirt, blue jeans and black shoes. Witnesses also said the driver sustained injuries to his head and face because of the significant amount of blood on him. And he may have additional injuries as well. The CHP along with numerous allied agencies searched the area but were unsuccessful in finding the driver.

PERSON of INTEREST: From evidence, information located at the scene, and eyewitness testimony at the scene, LEMUEL SIRVONN WILSON, Jr – DOB-6/24/1982, is the number one person of interest in this hit & run fatality collision. If you know him, know his whereabouts now, saw him at the collision scene or at the movie theater, please contact CHP – Golden Gate Division Communications Center by calling 707-551-4100. Relate that you have information for CHP – Contra Costa and Officer Odom who is handling this investigation. Thank you for any help you can provide.

Young Antioch man killed after being hit by three cars on I-680 in Pleasant Hill, Saturday morning, identified

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On Saturday morning, March 25, at around 4:40am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a hit and run traffic collision on northbound I-680 south of Monument Blvd. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival it was determined a pedestrian (19-year-old male from Antioch) was struck by three vehicles. The first vehicle to strike the pedestrian left the scene.

The first vehicle to strike the pedestrian was described as possibly being a white Acura Integra. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene of the collision. On Monday, the victim was identified by the Contra Costa County Coroner as Dyshon Douglas.

In the initial investigation, it appears that the pedestrian was standing in the lanes of northbound I-680 just south of Monument Blvd. It appears as though a white colored sedan collided with the pedestrian and continued northbound on I-680. Immediately after the initial collision the pedestrian was struck by an Audi SUV (driven by a 29-year-old male from Oakley) and a Toyota Corolla (driven by a 22-year-old female from Concord). The drivers of the Audi and Toyota stopped on scene and provided statements to officers.

At this time alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in this collision. This collision is still under investigation and if anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Officer Mitchell at Contra Costa CHP (925) 646-4980.