Contra Costa Herald

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

Woman crashes car, runs across Highway 4 in Martinez, hit and killed Thursday night

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By CHP-Contra Costa

Thursday evening at about 8:26 pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle collision on Highway 4 eastbound, west of Pacheco Blvd. in Martinez. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, a blue Saturn sedan was found crashed into the center divider of eastbound Hwy 4, several witnesses that stopped along the right shoulder of eastbound Hwy 4, and the adult female driver of the Saturn was lying in the westbound lanes of traffic and unresponsive. The driver of a white Dodge pickup truck was also stopped along the right shoulder but on the westbound side. Unfortunately, the female driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. She has not yet been identified. The Contra Costa County Sheriff Coroner,s Office will be handling the release of her identity.

In the initial investigation, it appears that the solo female driver of the Saturn sedan was traveling on Hwy 4 eastbound approaching Pacheco Blvd at an unknown speed, veered off the roadway and into the center metal guardrail. Witnesses related the female driver then exited her vehicle, climbed over the center metal guardrail, and began to run across the westbound lanes of traffic of Hwy 4. She was then struck by an oncoming white Dodge pickup. Once emergency personnel and CHP arrived on scene, they located the female driver lying in the westbound lanes and unresponsive. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. The male driver of the Dodge pickup remained on scene, was not injured, and cooperative throughout the investigation. Witnesses also remained on scene to provide information.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs are a factor in this collision as it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.

El Sobrante man dies in car crash on I-80 near Pinole Wednesday morning

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By CHP-Contra Costa

Early this morning at about 1:10am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle rollover collision on I-80 westbound just east of Pinole Valley Road. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, the 59-year-old male driver from El Sobrante was extricated and life-saving procedures were administered but unsuccessful and the driver was pronounced deceased. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased party.

In the initial investigation, it appears that the solo male driver of the 2000 Audi was traveling at a high rate of speed on I-80 westbound approaching Pinole Valley Road and veered off the roadway and into the concrete sound wall, and subsequently overturned and slid across the lanes and came to rest blocking the #2 & #3 lanes. Once emergency personnel arrived and extricated the driver, they began life-saving procedures but were unsuccessful and unfortunately the driver was pronounced deceased. A Sig-Alert was issued at 1:37 A.M. (w/ the #1 lane remaining open the entire time) and lifted at 3:02 A.M. when all lanes of traffic were opened.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs are a factor in this collision as it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.

West County: Fatal collision on Cummings Skyway north of Hwy 4 Christmas morning

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By CHP Contra Costa

At approximately 10:43 this morning, CHP units responded to a collision on Cummings Skyway, north of Highway 4. Upon arrival, officers located a two-vehicle collision involving a Nissan X-Terra and a Ford sedan. The driver of the Nissan suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced as deceased on scene. The driver of the Ford suffered major, but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

Our preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the Ford appeared to have drifted off the roadway and onto a dirt shoulder. The driver of the Ford then appears to have overcorrected and crossed into oncoming traffic, causing the Nissan to collide with the passenger side of the Ford.

At this time this is still an active scene and Cummings Skyway remains closed. We are still investigating whether drugs or alcohol were a factor in this collision, and are asking any witnesses to call the CHP at 925-646-4980.

DUI crash on Highway 4 Monday night results in fatality

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By CHP-Contra Costa

Monday night at about 9:28pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a three-vehicle collision at Highway 4 eastbound at Willow Pass Road in Concord. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, three vehicles were located at the scene (a Chevrolet Chevelle, a Nissan Sedan, and a Mitsubishi Lancer) and tragically the driver of the Mitsubishi (19-year-old male) was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet sustained major injuries and was determined to be under the influence and later arrested. The driver of the Nissan had only minor injuries and did not go to the hospital. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased driver. Please direct inquires to them.

In the initial investigation, it appears that the driver of the Chevrolet (Willie David Hamlin, DOB-12/25/1971, from Antioch) was traveling eastbound on SR-4 at a high rate of speed approaching Willow Pass Road in Concord. He veered his vehicle to the right and crashed into the metal guard rail to the right of the roadway. Then he allowed his vehicle to veer back into the lanes of traffic and collided with the Nissan, but only caused minor damage. He then continued across the lanes towards the #1 lane where he collided in a broadside manner into the Mitsubishi with the 19-year-old driver, subsequently killing him. The 44-year-old driver of the Nissan only sustained minor injuries and was able to walk away. Hamlin suffered major injuries (but not life threatening) and was transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. While there, CHP conducted a DUI investigation and he was subsequently placed under arrest for FELONY DUI and GROSS VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER. Due to Hamlin’s injuries, he remains at the hospital for treatment but upon his release, CHP will take him into custody and book him into the county jail. His release from the hospital at this time is unknown.

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. Thank you.

Unfortunately, this is another reminder of the carnage and impact that DUI driving can cause and to know that impaired driving is 100% preventable, 100% of the time is even more disastrous. Please never drive impaired.

Two teens killed, three teens injured in Walnut Creek crash off Highway 24, Sunday morning

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Screenshot of crashed Honda on Boulevard Circle in Walnut Creek, Sunday morning, Aug. 12, 2018. Screenshot from NBC Bay Area news report.

Female driver charged with multiple counts of felony manslaughter, DUI

By CHP – Contra Costa

The driver, Ramya Ramey. Photo from screenshot of KPIX5 news report.

Sunday morning, Aug. 12, 2018 at about 4:01am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle collision that came off SR-24 and onto Boulevard Circle at Boulevard Way in Walnut Creek. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, two passengers from the 2000 Silver Honda Civic were declared deceased, the driver was still alive but with major injuries, and two other passengers had also suffered major injuries. All parties were transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of the identities of the deceased parties, please refer to them for that information.

In the initial investigation, it appears that the 18-year-old female driver from Antioch was driving the Honda on eastbound SR-24 and approaching the I-680 interchange. For reasons unknown that are still under investigation, she allowed the Honda to veer completely off SR-24 and overturned and crashed onto Boulevard Circle, which is below SR-24, causing major damage. Two male passengers, one 17 and the other 18 years old, both from Antioch, were immediately pronounced deceased upon emergency personal arrival. Two other female 18-year-old passengers from Antioch and Oakley suffered major injuries and transported to the hospital. The driver, Ramya Ramey, (DOB-1/30/2000) from Antioch, suffered major injuries as well and was also transported to the hospital where she was placed under arrest for multiple counts of felony manslaughter for killing two of her passengers and multiple counts of felony DUI causing major injuries to her other passengers.

UPDATE: The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office released the identities of the two victims on Monday afternoon. They are 17-year-old Dakarai Rishon Fagorala a former varsity basketball player at and 2018 graduate of Deer Valley High School, and 18-year-old John Hamed Walizada, a 2017 graduate also of Deer Valley.

This is a tragic incident where alcohol and underage drinking & driving was involved. This investigation is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980 or 1-(800)-TELL-CHP. Thank you.

Update on investigation into Saturday’s fatal Hwy 24 collision after suspects flee from officer

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The burned suspect’s vehicle following CHP chase and collision on Highway 24 in Orinda, Saturday, July 21, 2018. Photo by KTVU Fox2 News.

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

The investigation into a fatal single vehicle collision after two suspects fled from an Orinda Police Officer on Saturday is ongoing. The investigation is being conducted by the District Attorney’s Office, Office of the Sheriff and CHP per the county fatal incident protocol.

On Saturday, July 21, 2018, at about 9:02 AM, an Orinda Police Officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Nissan Altima for vehicle code violations in the area of St. Stephens Drive and Tahos Road in Orinda. As the officer approached the vehicle, it fled at a high rate of speed leading the officer on a pursuit. The suspect vehicle entered westbound Highway 24. The officer lost sight of the suspect vehicle and later came upon a single vehicle collision involving the car on Highway 24 near the BART station.

First aid was rendered to the two occupants of the vehicle. They were taken to a local hospital, where one was pronounced deceased. He is identified as 20-year-old Lawrence Mar-tin of Oakland.

The other occupant of the vehicle, 20-year-old Danny Lockett of San Francisco, was arrested for felony evading causing death and a probation violation. He is being held without bail at the Martinez Detention Facility.

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

CHP investigating Monday night shooting on Highway 4 in Bay Point

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From CHP-Contra Costa Facebook Page

Monday night, at approximately 10:00 PM, a shooting occurred on westbound Highway 4 at Bailey Road. While the victim’s vehicle was struck several times, the solo occupant was not injured.

CHP – Contra Costa is actively investigating this shooting with the assistance of Golden Gate Division – Investigative Services Unit.

If you have any information or may have witnessed this event call 1-800-TELL-CHP. We wish to thank the public for contacting us with information in tragic cases such as this.

Single-car fatal collision on Highway 4 in Martinez Friday morning

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Friday morning, March 16 at about 8:29 A.M., Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle, solo occupant, vehicle vs. a tree collision on Highway 4 westbound at the Alhambra Road off ramp. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, the driver (unknown age male from Walnut Creek) was trapped within the Honda sedan and unresponsive. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.

In the initial investigation, it appears that the driver was driving the 1994 Black Honda Civic Highway 4 westbound approaching the Alhambra Road off ramp at an unknown speed. At the time it was raining and the roadway was wet. For unknown reasons, the driver veered from his lane to the right and off the roadway, down the embankment towards the off ramp located below. His Honda’s left driver side impacted directly into a large tree and came to rest with the tree fully crushing into the driver seat and male. He was pronounced deceased on scene. While the vehicle was being recovered the off ramps and #1 lane were partially shut down to recover the Honda.

It is unknown if alcohol or drugs are a factor in this collision. It 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.

Concord man arrested for felony DUI, manslaughter in fatal Bay Point crash early Thursday morning

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Passenger in one car died, Bay Point man and woman in other car in critical condition

By CHP-Contra Costa

On Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, at about 12:51 AM, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a two-vehicle traffic collision at Port Chicago Highway and Wharf Drive in Bay Point. Upon Officers and emergency personnel arrival, they located a 1997 Chevrolet Camaro and 2008 Dodge Ram in the side yard of a residence at 1 Wharf Drive, Bay Point, both with major collision damage. An unidentified male passenger from the Chevy Camaro was pronounced deceased on scene. In total, one male passenger died at the scene, the male driver and female passenger of the Dodge both suffered major life-threatening injuries and are in critical condition at a local John Muir Hospital. The male driver of the Chevy also sustained major injuries but non-life-threatening and he was arrested for suspicion of felony DUI driving and manslaughter for killing his passenger. He too is at a local John Muir Hospital.

In the initial investigation, it appears that the driver of the Chevy Camaro, Raul Moreno Ochoa, Jr., – born 12/12/1991 – from Concord, was driving the Camaro westbound on Port Chicago Highway approaching Wharf Drive at a high rate of speed. The male driver of the Dodge Ram, 51-year-old male from Bay Point, was traveling northbound on Wharf Drive and came to a stop at the stop sign at Port Chicago Highway. Then he made a right turn onto eastbound Port Chicago Highway. As Ochoa drove the Camaro westbound at a high rate of speed, for unknown reasons he veered across the center line, driving wrong way in the eastbound lane, and directly in the path of the Dodge. Ochoa crashed the Camaro head on with the Dodge. The impact was so great, both vehicles were catapulted back and into the side yard of the residence at 1 Wharf Drive.

The 51-year-old male driver of the Dodge and his 46-year-old female passenger, both from Bay Point, sustained major life-threatening injuries and are currently listed in critical condition at John Muir Hospital. Ochoa’s male passenger died at the scene. Ochoa sustained major injuries but non-life-threatening and is also at John Muir Hospital. He was placed under arrest for the following charges: FELONY DUI DRIVING – 23153(a)VC and MANSLAUGHTER – 192(5)PC. Alcohol and drugs are a factor in this collision.

This collision is still under investigation but if you witnessed either one of these vehicles prior to the collision, or have any information regarding this collision, please contact Contra Costa CHP at (925) 646-4980.

CHP Super Bowl Rreminder: Fans don’t let fans drive drunk

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On Sunday, February 4, football fans across the country will gather with friends and family to watch Super Bowl LII.  The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to remind motorists to designate a sober driver before the game begins.

“Drunk driving is completely avoidable, but continues to be a serious problem,” CHP Acting Commissioner Warren Stanley said.  “We want motorists to remember that drinking and driving is a choice that can have catastrophic results.  If you choose to drink, do not drive.”

According to preliminary data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, during last year’s Super Bowl, one person was killed in an alcohol-involved collision and 41 others were injured on California’s roadways.  That same day, there were 247 arrests made by the CHP for driving under the influence (DUI).  Consequences of a DUI arrest are jail time, the loss of a driver license, higher insurance rates, court fees, car towing and repair, and lost wages from time off work.

“There are no excuses when it comes to driving under the influence,” Acting Commissioner Stanley added.  “Have a game plan ready to avoid a tragedy.  Leave your car keys at home if you will be consuming alcoholic beverages, and use public transportation, a designated driver, or a ride-hailing service to stay safe.”

If you are hosting a Super Bowl party, be a team player and help keep impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel.  Make proper arrangements and designate your sober driver before the big game begins.  And remember:  Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

The public can help by calling 9-1-1 if they suspect a drunk driver.  Callers should be prepared to give the vehicle’s description, location, license plate number, and direction of travel.

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