Contra Costa Herald

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

19-year-old Antioch man dies in Vasco Road head-on collision early Tuesday morning

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Struck by 49-year-old male driver from Brentwood

By CHP – Contra Costa

Early this morning at about 3:45am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a two-vehicle crash on Vasco Road, south of Walnut Blvd. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, it was determined that a 2008 Chevrolet HHR was traveling northbound on Vasco Road and began a turning movement, crossing over the solid double yellow lines and into the southbound lane. As the Chevrolet entered into the southbound lane, it was directly in the path of an oncoming vehicle, a 2015 Ford F-150. The driver of the Ford, a 49-year-old male from Brentwood, was unable to avoid the HHR within the lane and collided into it, causing major damage to both vehicles. Tragically the driver of the Chevrolet, a 19-year-old male from Antioch, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver of the Ford suffered moderate injuries and was transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. The Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased driver.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision, but it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it and have not yet spoken with CHP, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.

Fatal solo vehicle crash on Hwy 242 late Sunday night claims life of Pittsburg man

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By CHP – Contra Costa

Last night at about 11:33pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle crash on State Route 242 northbound, at Hwy 4. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, it was determined that a solo, black 1994 Honda Civic had veered from the lanes of traffic of SR-242 northbound and collided into the concrete center divider. The driver then lost control of the vehicle as it tumbled over the center divider and down the center dirt embankment towards the southbound lanes of SR-242. The vehicle landed on its roof and came to rest within the southbound lanes of SR-242.

The driver, a 22-year-old male from Concord, was restrained and sustained only minor injuries. The male passenger, an adult male from Pittsburg, was not properly restrained and subsequently ejected from the vehicle and onto the roadway of SR-242 southbound and struck by a passing vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of the deceased passenger’s identity.

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

CHP to begin four-day Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period Wednesday night

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By Jamie Coffee, Information Officer II, California Highway Patrol

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As Californians plan for the Thanksgiving holiday during the ongoing pandemic, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reminds everyone the rules of driving safety are just as crucial as ever.

To encourage safe travel, the CHP will enact a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, and continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 29.  During the MEP, CHP officers will be actively looking for unsafe driving practices as well as helping motorists in need.

“This year has presented us with many unforeseen challenges, but safety is still our priority,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said.  “If you choose to travel this Thanksgiving weekend, our goal is to help motorists arrive at their destination without incident.”

Thanksgiving weekend is traditionally one of the busiest travel times of the year.  Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic may be a bit lighter, but this is not an invitation to speed to your destination.  The rules of the road still apply, and motorists should avoid driving tired, impaired, or distracted.  Additionally, in an effort to reduce COVID-19 transmission, Governor Gavin Newsom has instituted a limited stay at home order from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and a travel advisory, encouraging people to only go about essential activities during those hours and to self-quarantine for 14 days if they are arriving from another state or country.

Those who must be on the road, remember to buckle up.  Proper seat belt use is the single most effective way to save a life in the event of a crash.  When you are traveling for the holiday, or any time of the year, make sure everyone in the vehicle is safely secured before even starting the car, and that includes children being in the correct child safety seats.

During the 2019 Thanksgiving MEP, 42 people died on California roadways.  Of the 27 who died within CHP jurisdiction, 11 were not wearing seat belts.  The CHP also made 867 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

 

CHP Commissioner asks Californians to “self-regulate” during governor’s curfew order

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By Fran Clader, Director of Communications, California Highway Patrol

California Highway Patrol Commissioner Amanda Ray today issued the following statement regarding the Governor’s limited stay at home order: 

“The health and safety of our employees and the public we serve is our highest priority. In an effort to preserve public health and safety of all Californians and stop the surge of COVID-19 cases, the Governor has instituted a limited stay at home order from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. with the goal that people will self-regulate their behavior, protect themselves, and go about only the ‘essential’ activities during those hours.

“The mission of the CHP is unchanged.  CHP officers will continue to patrol throughout California and use their sound professional judgment to conduct enforcement stops for violations of the law based upon probable cause.  The CHP does not make arrests based on race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or for any reason other than violations of the law based on probable cause.  As always, CHP officers will have the discretion to take appropriate action when a violation is observed.”

 

 

CHP stops speeders at 131, 121 and 110 MPH and Contra Costa roads

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Photos by CHP-Contra Costa.

By CHP – Contra Costa

Wednesday, November 11

NO EXCUSE

And you ask for a ‘Break?’, C’mon. Your speed of 131MPH combined with the fact you have NO LICENSE just earned you a car jail impound for 30 days. Sign here for you citation.

#instantkarma #nobreaks #slowdown #chp

And a close second today is this violator, at 121 MPH on you guessed it, #hwy4. But fortunately, this driver receives similar treatment as the last.

In all seriousness, these types of speeds are truly dangerous to all motorists on the road. We are out enforcing all laws on all roads, especially Hwy-4, to take these dangerous drivers off the roadway. Whether you see us out and about or not, we are always out there working, 24/7, no days off. #slowdown #1stistheworst #2ndisjustasbad

Friday, November 13

BACK AT IT AGAIN

110MPH… and then car unregistered for 2 years?!

That results in a citation for the 110 MPH and vehicle impounded until the registration is taken care of. Sign here please.#instantkarma #slowdown #allroadsallcodes #chp

Car goes to jail for 30 days following reckless driving by owner multiple times in Contra Costa

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Photos by CHP – Contra Costa.

By CHP – Contra Costa

CAR JAIL

Recently this vehicle and its driver had been reported numerous times driving recklessly within Contra Costa County. We located it while the driver was in the act and filming a video for an online/social media video channel . The driver was issued a citation on scene for reckless driving. Then a warrant was later issued to impound the vehicle for 30 DAYS due to the totality of the circumstances that were discovered.

Long story short; we do respond to these types of incidents around the county, we do conduct follow up investigation, and there are repercussions for reckless driving acts. This incident was a citation and 30 impound. Now you know. #instantkarma #dontdoit #chp

 

Body of Lafayette woman struck by vehicle found near Concord airport early Saturday morning

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff

Saturday morning at about 1:14 am, Deputy Sheriffs, along with the California Highway Patrol, were dispatched to a report of a body found at the 5000 block of Marsh Drive in an unincorporated area north of Buchanan Field Airport in Concord.

Upon arrival, Deputies and CHP Officers located a deceased female on the road.

The CHP started the initial investigation due to evidence that the female was struck by a vehicle.

During an area check, a Deputy Sheriff found the suspect vehicle nearby. Based on initial findings and evidence, this incident was later classified as a vehicular homicide and the Office of the Sheriff took over the primary investigation.

The victim is identified as 35-year-old Shelly Stevens of Lafayette.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Pittsburg girl who died in fatal crash on Highway 4 in West County Monday night identified

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By CHP – Contra Costa

   Monday night, July 7, 2020 at approximately 9:41pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle collision on HWY-4 eastbound, just east of Cummings Skyway between Martinez and Hercules. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, the passenger (an 18-year-old female) was tragically declared deceased and the driver (a 28-year-old male) suffered minor injuries only.

   The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office identified the deceased passenger as Alma Olivares from Pittsburg.

  In our initial investigation, it appears the male driver of the silver 2014 Jeep Laredo was traveling on HWY-4 eastbound, just east of Cummings Skyway when he allowed the Jeep to veer to the right and completely off the roadway, subsequently colliding into a tree. The collision caused fatal injuries to the female passenger and the male driver suffered minor injuries.

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

  Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Two pedestrians struck, killed in separate collisions in Bay Point, Rodeo Saturday night

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Driver arrested for DUI in Bay Point fatality

By CHP – Contra Costa

Yesterday, July 4, 2020 at about 9:55pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a collision involving a vehicle versus a pedestrian at Seaview Drive and Shore Road in Bay Point. An Audi sedan struck a pedestrian in the roadway while traveling at a high rate of speed, tragically killing the pedestrian, and then fled the scene into the city of Pittsburg. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene and the driver of the Audi was later located and arrested on multiple felony charges. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased pedestrian.

In our initial investigation, it appears the driver of the Audi was traveling at a high rate of speed on the residential street of Seaview and approaching Shore Road, while the pedestrian was in the roadway with fireworks. The driver of the Audi struck the pedestrian, causing the pedestrian to be thrown into a parked vehicle on Seaview and subsequently killing the pedestrian. And then the driver of the Audi fled the scene. That driver was later found at a location in Pittsburg (from statements and witness tips) and arrested. The driver was also suspected of being under the influence/impaired and arrested and booked for the following charges: -23153(a)VC-DUI causing major injury or death, and -191.5 PC Gross Vehicular Manslaughter while intoxicated.

This incident is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980. Thank you.

Rodeo Pedestrian Fatality

Early this morning at about 12:20am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a collision involving a vehicle versus pedestrian on I-80 westbound, just east of Willow Avenue. The driver of a Dodge Ram collided with a Buick sedan stopped in the #1 lane on I-80, with the driver out of the Buick and standing within the road, subsequently killing the pedestrian. The driver of the Dodge was transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek for moderate injuries. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased pedestrian.

It is still unclear as to why the driver of the Buick was stopped within the #1 lane of I-80.
At this time, it is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a contributing factor, but this incident is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980.

Martinez hit and run causes major injuries to 7-year-old boy, CHP asks for public’s help

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White van is vehicle of suspect in Martinez hit and run, Thursday. Photos by CHP.

By CHP – Contra Costa

Late Thursday afternoon, July 2, 2020 at approximately 4:09pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a hit and run with major injuries to a 7-year-old child that was riding his scooter. This occurred on Vine Avenue between Leslie Avenue and Merle Avenue in the city of Martinez, sometime between 3:48pm-3:56pm. This white van (in black and white photo) was captured on home surveillance traveling south on Vine Avenue, struck the boy on the scooter, and fled the scene. The boy was airlifted by helicopter to Oakland Children’s Hospital and we’ve learned although he suffered major injuries, thankfully he is in stable condition.

Security camera screenshot of suspect’s van.

The black and white photo is the actual suspect vehicle caught on surveillance and the second color photo is a very similar looking van also captured on surveillance video within the area.

We are seeking the public’s assistance with information regarding this incident. If anyone witnessed this event, or the suspect vehicle in the area or vicinity during the time of the incident, please contact Contra Costa CHP at (925)646-4980 and leave your information for investigating Officer Garduno. Or if after hours, please DM (direct message) our FB page here with your contact info.