Contra Costa Herald

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

Sheriff’s Office seeks witnesses in Tuesday vehicle rollover ejection crash on Kirker Pass Road

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Emergency responders at the scene of the rollover crash on Kirker Pass Road, Tues., Feb. 11, 2020. Screenshots from Bay News Video by Art Ray.

Domestic violence related; suspect arrested

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

On Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at about 3:24 PM, the California Highway Patrol received a call of a rollover vehicle accident in the area of Kirker Pass Road and Hess Road near Concord.

During the initial CHP investigation, it was discovered that the cause of the accident was apparently domestic-related. The Office of the Sheriff responded to the location and started an investigation.

Deputy Sheriffs found the incident involved a woman and a man who were in a previous relationship. The woman was driving a tan colored 2004 Chevy Tahoe SUV with two passengers. The suspect, who was in a white colored 2015 Mercedes Benz, followed behind and later pulled in front of the victim’s car causing her to lose control and flip over an embankment.

The driver of the Chevy Tahoe, who was ejected from the vehicle according to ConFire personnel, was taken to a local hospital and is said to be in critical condition. According to the CHP many vehicles  pulled over and passersby turned the vehicle onto its side. One of the other occupants, a young girl,  was treated and released from the hospital. The last occupant of the SUV was uninjured.

The driver of the other vehicle was later arrested by Deputy Sheriffs. He is identified as 28-year-old Alejandro Arriaga of Concord. He was later booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on three felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one felony count of child cruelty. Arriaga is being held in lieu of $190,000 bail.

Anyone with any information on this case or who might have witnessed it is asked to contact detectives at (925) 313-2600. Tips could be emailed to: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Concord teen injured by hit-and-run driver on Highway 4 on-ramp in Concord Monday night

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CORRECTION: The original headline was incorrect as the incident occurred in Concord, not Bay Point.

By CHP – Contra Costa

Last night, at approximately 9:15pm, CHP Contra Costa responded to a call of a pedestrian down in the roadway at the Port Chicago Highway on-ramp to Hwy-4 eastbound. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, an 18-year-old male from Concord was located with major injuries and then transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. No vehicle or responsible party was located at the scene.

This incident is still under investigation and requires follow up investigation as well. The 18-year-old pedestrian transported to the hospital is listed as life-threatening critical condition. At this time CHP has located a party and vehicle of interest regarding this incident and is still gathering information.

That is all the information we to offer at this time as it requires follow up investigation. If anyone has information regarding this collision, the events leading up to it, or witnessed it, please call CHP in Martinez at 925-646-4980. Thank you.

Motorcyclist killed by DUI driver in multi-vehicle collision on Highway 4 in Pittsburg Sunday morning

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Driver from Antioch taken to hospital, arrested; Driver of other car from Oakley sustains minor injuries

By CHP-Contra Costa

UPDATE: the Volkswagen sedan driven by Moss was determined that it was traveling wrong way (westbound within the eastbound lanes) of Hwy-4 prior to the initial collision with the Toyota.

Early this morning, at approximately 2:09 am, CHP Contra Costa responded to a collision involving three vehicles on Hwy-4 eastbound, just east of Bailey Road. Upon CHP & emergency personnel arrival, a 2002 Volkswagen sedan, a 2015 Toyota sedan, and a 2016 Harley Davidson motorcycle had been involved in a collision. Unfortunately, the solo male driver of the Harley (29 years old from Antioch) was killed in the crash. The solo male driver of the Toyota (20 years old from Oakley) sustained only minor complaint of pain injuries. And the solo male driver of the Volkswagen (59-year-old Tony Moss from Antioch) was transported to John Muir hospital in Walnut Creek for his injuries and suspicion of DUI driving.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased male rider from the Harley Davidson.

This incident is still under investigation and requires follow up investigation as well. But our preliminary report indicates the Volkswagen and Toyota may have been involved in a collision on eastbound Hwy 4 at Bailey Road and then the Harley Davidson became involved as well, subsequently ejecting the rider of the Harley Davidson and killing him. The driver of the Toyota suffered only minor injuries, remained on scene, and cooperated with the investigation.

While at the hospital, Officers placed Moss under arrest for felony DUI. Upon his release from the hospital early this morning, he was transported to the Martinez detention facility where he was booked into the county jail for two counts of FELONY DUI: 23153(a)VC & 23153(b)VC.

As this incident is still under investigation, if anyone has information regarding this collision or events leading up to it, call CHP in Martinez at 925-646-4980. Thank you.

Three die in Highway 4 crash in Orinda, early Saturday morning

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Scene of the fatal crash in Orinda. Photo by KTVU Fox2.

By CHP-Contra Costa

Early this morning at approximately 3:07 a.m., CHP Contra Costa responded to a solo vehicle collision on Highway 24 westbound, just east of Camino Pablo in the Orinda area. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, a red 2009 Nissan Versa had crashed off the roadway head on into a tree, causing major damage. Tragically all three male occupants were killed in the crash. The two male passengers were a 31-year-old from Oakland and a 22-year-old from Hayward. The male driver was unable to be identified at the scene of the collision. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroners Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased passengers and also the identity of the deceased driver.

Our preliminary investigation indicates the Nissan was traveling westbound on HWY-24, at a speed yet to be determined, when the driver allowed the vehicle to veer to the right completely off the roadway and into the hillside with numerous trees, located just north of the highway. The Nissan then struck a tree head on, where it came to rest. All three males were still within the Nissan upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival and tragically all three males were pronounced deceased at the scene.

At this time it is unknown if alcohol or drug impairment were a factor in this collision but it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, call CHP in Martinez at 925-646-4980.

Byron man dies, two others injured in Oakley high speed 3-car crash Saturday night

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By CHP-Contra Costa

Saturday night, Oct. 12, 2019 at approximately 11:26 pm, CHP Contra Costa responded to a three-vehicle collision on Delta Road, just east of Main Street, in unincorporated Contra Costa county. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, an Infiniti sedan had crashed into a Ford pickup and then into a parked Dodge sedan on Delta Road, where it came to rest. The driver of the Infiniti (22-year-old male from Byron) unfortunately did not survive and was pronounced deceased at the scene. It was also determined he was not wearing his seatbelt. His female passenger (21-years-old from Oakley) sustained moderate injuries only and the solo male driver of the Ford sustained minor injuries only. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased male.

Our preliminary investigation indicates the following; the male driver of Ford pickup was traveling east on Delta road and preparing to make a left turn into his residence. The male driver of the Infiniti was approaching the slower moving Ford, preparing to turn, at a high rate of speed. The driver of the Infiniti drove into the westbound traffic lane in an attempt to pass the Ford. As the Ford driver began his left turn, the Infiniti driver crashed into the left side of the Ford at a high rate of speed causing major damage. The Infiniti then continued east on Delta and then crashed into a parked Dodge sedan on the north side of the roadway, also causing major damage. Tragically the male driver of the Infiniti was not wearing his seatbelt and died as a result of the collision. The female passenger was wearing her seatbelt, sustained moderate injuries, and was transported by helicopter to John Muir hospital in Walnut Creek and has since been released. The male driver of the Ford sustained minor injuries and was transported to Kaiser hospital in Antioch and has also since been released.

At this time, it is unknown if alcohol or drug impairment were a factor in this collision, but speed certainly was a contributing factor. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, call CHP in Martinez at 925-646-4980. Thank you.

Fatality collisions and the loss of a young life are always tragic and especially if it was preventable. Seatbelts really do save lives so please buckle up every time you or passengers are in a vehicle. And please slow down at all times.

Fatal crash on 680 in Walnut Creek takes life of Hayward man early Friday morning

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By CHP – Contra Costa

Early this morning, at approximately 1:59 a.m., Contra Costa CHP was advised of a two-vehicle collision on I-680 southbound, just north of Treat Blvd in Walnut Creek. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, it was determined a Nissan Sentra had collided with a dump truck, then subsequently rolled, collided with the concrete center wall, and sustained major damage.

Tragically the solo male driver of the Nissan (43 years old from Hayward) was pronounced deceased at the scene. The solo adult male driver of the dump truck was not injured. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased male.
Our preliminary investigation indicates that the driver of the Nissan was traveling southbound on I-680 and for unknown reasons veered across the lanes (from right to left) and collided into the back of the dump truck. Then due to the impact, the Nissan rolled and collided into the concrete center wall and sustained major damage, partially trapping the driver inside. Once the Fire Department and emergency personnel arrived, the driver was extricated from the Nissan but unfortunately pronounced deceased on scene.

Through the investigation on scene, it appeared that the driver was not wearing his seatbelt. The solo male driver of the dump truck was not injured and remained on scene during the investigation.

Although alcohol bottles were located in the Nissan, it is unknown at this time if alcohol and/or drugs are a factor in this collision as it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the Nissan on I-680 prior to this crash, please contact Contra Costa CHP at (925) 646-4980. Thank you.

Motorcyclist dies in Highway 4 collision in Pittsburg Monday morning

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By CHP-Contra Costa

Monday morning at approximately 8:00 am, we responded to a collision on Highway 4 westbound, near Loveridge Road. Upon arrival, we located a motorcycle rider who had rear-ended a Toyota Camry and was ejected off of his motorcycle, as a result of that collision.

Unfortunately, following that collision, the rider was struck by a big rig and sustained fatal injuries. Both the driver of the big rig and the Toyota are cooperating with our investigation. Multiple lanes were closed until approximately 10:00 am, but the roadway is now fully open. Identification of the motorcycle rider will be made through the Contra Costa Coroner’s Office.

Brentwood: Head on collision takes life of driver attempting to pass another, car injures others Sunday morning

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By CHP-Contra Costa

This morning, at approximately 8:50 am, we responded to a collision on Balfour Road near American Way. Upon arrival, we located three vehicles which had been involved in a collision. Our investigation so far has revealed the following information:

The driver of a Nissan Altima was driving eastbound on Balfour, west of American Avenue behind a Mini Cooper. The driver of the Nissan attempted to pass the Mini Cooper over double solid yellow lines, but while attempting to overtake it, clipped the Mini Cooper and struck a white minivan head on, which was going westbound on Balfour.

The driver of the Nissan was pronounced deceased on scene, the driver of the Toyota minivan was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries, and the driver of the Mini Cooper was unharmed. At this time (10:30 am), Balfour remains closed as we complete our investigation and clear the scene. We do not have an estimated time to re-open the roadway. We are still investigating whether drugs and/or alcohol were a factor in this collision.

Six-car crash involving Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputy on Vasco Road Friday injures 8, three critically

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Six-car accident on Vasco Road, Friday evening, July 19, 2019. Photos by East Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

By CHP-Contra Costa

Friday evening at about 5:32 P.M., Contra Costa CHP was advised of a six-vehicle collision on Vasco Road, just north of Camino Diablo in east Contra Costa County. An on-duty Contra Costa Sheriff’s deputy was involved but thankfully only sustained minor injuries.

Three parties from the collision were transported to local hospital’s by CHP helicopter, Contra Costa Sheriff’s office Cal-Star helicopter, and Reach regional helicopter as well. Three other parties were transported to local hospitals by ground ambulance. Thankfully all injured parties sustained non-life-threatening injuries. We’d like to thank our allied agencies and emergency personnel on scene for their help in this incident.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation. Alcohol and/or drug impairment is not suspected. If anyone has information about this collision, please call the Contra Costa CHP Office at 925-646-4980. Thank you and please drive safe.

Bicyclist dies from accident with car in Alamo on Wednesday

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By CHP-Contra Costa

Wednesday afternoon, June 26, 2019 around 4:30pm, we responded to a collision on Mount Diablo Scenic Blvd near Diablo Ranch Drive. Upon arrival, we located a bicyclist down on the roadway and a Chevy SUV. Emergency medical aid was given to the bicyclist, and the adult male rider was driven by ambulance to the Athenian School where he was life flighted to a local hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries later that night.

The driver of the Chevy remained on scene and is cooperating with our investigation. The location where this collision occurred is a narrow winding roadway and it appears the bicyclist and vehicle hit head on. The rider was wearing a helmet.

If you have any information about this collision, please call the Contra Costa CHP Office at 925-646-4980.