Contra Costa Herald

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

CHP urges motorists to drive in the New Year safely

By Leave a Comment

Will hold Maximum Enforcement Period Friday, Dec. 29 – Monday night, Jan. 1, 2024

909 DUI arrests during Christmas weekend MEP

As we prepare to usher in a new year, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is ramping up efforts to help ensure the safety of all road users, while reducing the number of deadly crashes on the state’s roadways.

Beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, the CHP will implement a statewide Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP), which will continue through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.

The CHP conducted a similar enforcement effort during the recent Christmas holiday.  Tragically, 20 people were killed in crashes within CHP jurisdiction between 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25.  Additionally, CHP officers made more than 900 arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) – an average of one every five minutes.

“Our personnel work through the holidays to help ensure people arrive safely at their destinations,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee.  “The goal is to maintain a safe environment on California’s roads, which is achievable when all motorists make responsible decisions behind the wheel.”

In addition to assisting drivers and looking for traffic violations, such as failure to wear a seat belt, speeding, and distracted driving, CHP officers will be paying close attention to people suspected of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.  During the last New Year’s Day MEP, CHP officers made 570 DUI arrests statewide.

As we close out 2023, avoid becoming a statistic.  Have a plan and designate a sober driver or use ride-share services, avoid distractions while driving, and always wear your seat belt.  If you see or suspect an impaired driver, call 9-1-1 immediately.  Be prepared to provide the dispatcher a description of the vehicle, the license plate number, location, and direction of travel. Your phone call may save someone’s life.

Christmas Weekend MEP Results

Over the past Christmas weekend, the CHP took decisive action to keep our roads safe! Here are the results from the maximum enforcement period:

CHP arrested 909 individuals for driving under the influence, a 42% increase from the year prior. Sadly, there were 19 fatal crashes resulting in 20 fatalities. Although this is a 23% decrease from last year, there is more work to be done to continue to reduce the mileage death rate.

Safety Reminder: Slow down, always designate a sober driver, and wear your seatbelt. These simple actions can save lives and prevent injuries.

Thank you to all who prioritize road safety. Stay safe!

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

Richmond woman’s fatal DUI crash on Hwy 4 near Martinez takes life of her 5-year-old

By 2 Comments

Shakela Janey Dominick and her daughter in photos posted to her Facebook page on (left) Jan. 16, 2022, and (right) Nov. 1, 2018.

Also injured another passenger, an 11-year-old boy; driver also arrested for manslaughter, charged with 5 felonies

By Allen D. Payton

According to CHP – Contra Costa, early Sunday morning, Dec. 17 ,2023, at 12:06 am, CHP Contra Costa was advised of a solo vehicle traffic crash on westbound Hwy 4 near Morello Avenue. Our preliminary investigation indicates a grey Honda CR-V was occupied by one adult driver and two children and traveling westbound on Hwy 4. The driver lost control of the vehicle and the Honda left the roadway and collided with a tree.

The driver, identified in court records as Shakela Janey Dominick, 32, of Richmond, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to the hospital. An 11-year-old passenger sustained major, life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital. A 5-year-old passenger, Dearri Shula of Richmond, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

During the on-scene investigation, it was determined Dearri was not properly restrained in a child seat. Furthermore, Officers arrived at the hospital to conduct a DUI investigation and Dominick, who earlier was reported to be the mother of both children, was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence and manslaughter. But it was later learned the 11-year-old is a boy and not her son.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, she is being held in the West County Detention Facility on $400,000 bail.

According to Contra Costa DA spokesman Ted Asregadoo, Dominick was arraigned Thursday afternoon, Dec. 21 and during the court hearing, a bail reduction request by the defense from $400,000 to $100,000 was denied by the judge and that her blood alcohol level was 0.16 to 0.17 percent.

She was charged with five felonies for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated with one enhancement for bodily injury to more than one victim; driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury with three enhancements, two for great bodily injury and one for bodily injury to more than one victim; driving with a .08% Blood Alcohol Content causing injury with the same three enhancements; and two counts of child abuse. Dominick faces up to three years in state prison for each charge. 01-23-03987 – Shakela Janey Dominick Charging Document

A preliminary hearing was set for Dec. 29 at 8:30 am with Judge Jennifer Lee in Department 25 in Martinez.

According to localcrimenews.com, Dominick was arrested by Vacaville Police in October 2020 for shoplifting.

This crash is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact CHP Contra Costa in Martinez, (925) 646-4980 or email your contact information to mailto:320Investigations@chp.ca.gov to be contacted by the investigating officer.

 

Victim in Dec. 5 two-vehicle fatal crash on I-680 near Martinez identified as Novato man

By Leave a Comment

By CHP – Contra Costa

On Tuesday morning Dec. 5, 2023, at approximately 9:33am, CHP Contra Costa responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-680, south of Pacheco Boulevard. Our preliminary investigation indicates a Ford F-550, with one occupant, and a Ford Escape, with one occupant, was traveling northbound on I-680. The driver of the F-550 was experiencing suspected mechanical issues and brought the vehicle to a stop in the number one lane. The driver of the Escape was unable to avoid the F-550 and collided into the rear of the F-550.

The driver of the Escape sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the F-550 was not injured.

According to Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jimmy Lee, the victim was identified as Jimmy Thai, age 39 of Novato.

This crash is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact CHP Contra Costa in Martinez, (925) 646-4980 or email your contact information to 320Investigations@chp.ca.gov to be contacted by the investigating officer.

 

CHP pursuit from San Francisco to Bay Point ends in crash, arrests of five

By Leave a Comment

One of the five suspects from the overturned car surrenders to CHP officers on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Video screenshot

Speeds reached in excess of 120 MPH

By CHP – Golden Gate Division Air Operations

Early Saturday morning, Dec. 9, 2023, CHP helicopter H30 was requested by San Francisco CHP units to assist in pursuing a vehicle wanted for reckless driving.

The crew of H30 arrived overhead as the vehicle crossed the Oakland Bay Bridge as speeds in excess of 120 mph. The suspect vehicle led officers on a 45-minute pursuit through three counties. (See video)

With H30 overhead, ground units were able to back off to a safe distance and set up spike strips.

After hitting the spike strips, the vehicle lost multiple tires and the driver eventually lost control and crashed. Five occupants in the vehicle were subsequently taken into custody.

CHP Contra Costa is handling the investigation.

Concord shopping center theft suspect arrested on freeway

By 10 Comments

Theft suspect Jesse Leonardo Otero arrested on I-680 forcing CHP to block traffic on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Photos: Concord PD

Walnut Creek man arrested 86 times since 2017, 41 times in 2023

By Concord Police Department

On Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 22, 2023, one of our swing shift patrol officers was conducting extra patrols in the area of the Veranda (2001 Diamond Blvd.) when she was notified of a theft that had just occurred. The suspect fled on foot from our officer onto Willow Pass Road and into the parking lot of the Sun Valley Mall. A CPD motor officer attempted to stop the subject, who fled onto I-680. The California Highway Patrol was contacted and momentarily blocked traffic to allow our Officers to enter the freeway and safely detain the male.

The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Jesse Leonardo Otero of Walnut Creek, was arrested on the freeway. Mr. Ortero was transported to the Concord PD jail and later to the Martinez Detention Facility for theft and resisting/delaying a peace officer. This case will be forwarded to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for filing considerations.

Thank you to the California Highway Patrol and the Pleasant Hill Police Department for their assistance!

According to localcrimenews.com, Otero has been arrested 86 times since 2017 including 41 arrests in 2023 – sometimes twice in the same day – by multiple Contra Costa and Alameda County law enforcement agencies for a variety of crimes including trespassing, petty theft, public nuisance, possession of a controlled substance, shoplifting of less than $950, receiving or concealing stolen property, resisting arrest, robbery, vandalism and giving false information to a police officer. His arrests include three times in 2017; 10 in 2018; twice in 2019; five in 2020; 12 in 2021; and 13 times in 2022.

An email was sent to Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton asking how someone with Otero’s record hasn’t been sentenced to multiple years in jail or prison.

11/29/23 UPDATE: In response, Contra Costa DA’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo provided the following statement:

“44-year-old Jesse Leonardo Otero is currently on felony probation for commercial burglary [PC 460(b)]. He was convicted on June 13, 2022, of a felony and was sentenced to 150 days in county jail and placed on two years of formal probation. On the same day, Otero was convicted of a misdemeanor shoplifting offense [PC 459.5] after stealing a gaming controller from a GameStop store. In October 2021, Otero was prosecuted and convicted of two separate counts of misdemeanor vandalism [PC 594(a)]. He was sentenced to 28 days in county jail and a year of probation for the vandalism offenses.

Many of the violations Mr. Otero was cited for in Contra Costa County were low-level, misdemeanor offenses such as trespassing, public nuisance, petty theft, and possession of controlled substances or paraphernalia. Otero’s misdemeanor thefts, for example, include taking a soft drink and candy at a Target store, stealing $27 worth of cosmetics, or shoplifting $50 worth of razor blades.

Our office is working with law enforcement agencies to merge a number of seemingly minor cases for prosecution to seek justice, ensure accountability, and protect our communities. Misdemeanor complaints filed with the court will have multiple incidents that we believe can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

CHP Contra Costa receives state grant to reduce DUI-related crashes

By 1 Comment

Source: CHP

By CHP – Contra Costa

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Contra Costa Area will use grant funding to start a regional campaign in Contra Costa County aimed at stopping drivers suspected of driving under the influence and reducing impaired driving-related crashes. This one-year project ends on September 30, 2024.

The CHP Contra Costa Area will deploy officers to conduct enforcement operations on Interstates 80 and 680, State Routes 4, 24, and 242; and unincorporated roadways within Contra Costa County.

“We are taking a proactive approach to keep our roadways safe,” said CHP Captain Ben Moser, Commander of the Contra Costa Area office. “This campaign will use of combination of education and enforcement to help make Contra Costa County roadways a safer place to travel.”

Source: CHP

According to the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, there were nine people killed and 170 people injured in traffic crashes involving impaired drivers within the CHP Contra Costa Area’s jurisdiction between October 1, 2020, and September 30, 2021. This CHP traffic safety effort also includes a community-based task force and public awareness and education to help reinforce the dangers of driving while impaired.

The CHP would like to take this opportunity to remind the public, “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Alcohol, cannabis, prescription medication, illegal drugs, and some over-the-counter drugs can affect a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Remember to always plan ahead, designate a sober driver, or arrange for other safe alternative transportation, such as public transit or taxi/ride-hailing service.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

Antioch man arrested for felony hit-and-run death in Discovery Bay

By Leave a Comment

By CHP Contra Costa

On Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at 11:42pm, CHP Contra Costa was advised of a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash on Highway 4 near Newport Drive in Discovery Bay. An unknown vehicle traveling westbound on Highway 4 struck a pedestrian and the driver of the suspect vehicle did not stop and fled the scene. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical personnel.

On Thursday, November 22, 2023, at 3:03pm, CHP Contra Costa Officers arrested Javier Dominguez Ramirez (32-year-old from Antioch) in connection with the vehicle that struck and killed a pedestrian on Nov. 16. This crash occurred on westbound SR-4, west of Newport Drive. He is currently being held on a $50k bail at the Martinez Detention Facility for Felony Hit and Run.

Avoid travel headaches: Check 511 during APEC 2023 Summit Nov. 13-19

By Leave a Comment

Photos: MTC

Two lanes of Bay Bridge will be closed.

Various ramps and ped/bike path closures scheduled along I-80 and U.S. 101 in San Francisco due to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2023 Summit

Information from MTC, CalTrans & CHP

People traveling to, from and within San Francisco next week can expect heavy congestion and traffic delays; transit reroutes, delays and crowding; and reduced or inconvenient pedestrian and bicycle access during the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2023 Summit taking place in the city from Monday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Nov. 19.

APEC is expected to draw more than 20,000 people, including heads of state and dignitaries from over 20 member economies, to downtown San Francisco. MTC encourages people to avoid traveling to San Francisco next week if possible. For those who must travel to or through the city, MTC encourages them to ride transit and to visit 511.org for critical travel alerts related to street closures and transportation delays.

In cooperation with the California Highway Patrol, and in coordination with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, Caltrans is implementing enhanced safety measures throughout our highway systems in and around San Francisco during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2023 summit starting Wednesday, November 15. The U.S. Secret Service recently designated the APEC summit as a National Special Security Event, requiring heightened security measures in and around the city of San Francisco.

Closures: At the request of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, Caltrans will be implementing the following closures to ensure the safety and security of all attendees and residents:

San Francisco / Oakland Bay Bridge

Closures of #1 (left) lane on Eastbound I-80 and #5 (right) lane on Westbound I-80

o Tuesday, November 14 through Friday, November 17, 2023.

o 4 Day Closure, beginning 11/14 at 5:00 AM, ending 11/17 at 9:00 PM.

o Controlled access to Bay Bridge Ped/Bike Path.

o No impacts to transit bus services.

o Treasure Island on-/off-ramps, Fremont Street off-ramp remain open.

Closures of 4th Street off-ramp from Eastbound I-80 and 5th Street off-ramp from Westbound I-80

o Wednesday, November 15 through Friday, November 17, 2023.

o 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Daily).

Closure of NB U.S. 101 Dana Bowers Vista Point off-ramp

o Tuesday, November 14 through Saturday, November 18 (Five Day Closure).

o No access to Dana Bowers Vista Point for vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians.

o Golden Gate Bridge Pedestrian Path closed at north end of bridge; no pedestrian access from Marin County.

o Bicycle Path on west side of bridge to remain open between Marin County and San Francisco.

California Highway Patrol officers will be present to enforce these closures. We understand that these closures may cause temporary inconvenience, but they are essential to ensure the safety and security of this significant event and to promote immediacy and availability for emergency response. We encourage you to plan your travels, accordingly, allow extra time for your commute, and consider using alternative routes or public transportation during this period. Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we work to ensure the success of the APEC 2023 summit and the safety of our community.

Muni will reroute several transit lines from Nov. 13-19, and Muni Metro T-Third service will be suspended. For more details, visit SFMTA’s APEC information page. BART, Caltrain and the San Francisco Bay Ferry do not anticipate any major APEC-related impacts to their services.

For the Golden Gate Bridge, the Dana Bowers Vista Point off-ramp from northbound U.S. 101 will be closed from Nov. 14-18. There will be no access to the Vista Point for vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians. The Golden Gate Bridge Pedestrian Path will be closed at north end of bridge, and there will be no pedestrian access from Marin County.

Most APEC activities will take place in the South of Market and Nob Hill neighborhoods. Due to the scale of the gathering, APEC also may create travel impacts on travel in other areas. People should expect a range of street impacts in and around the United States Secret Service security zones (Vehicle Exclusion Zones)(link is external) established for the conference and conference-related events. Pedestrians will be banned from APEC security zones unless they live or work there; and bicycles, whether traditional or e-bikes, also will be barred.

For 24/7 traffic updates, please visit 511.org: https://twitter.com/511SFBay.  MTC operates 511 in partnership with Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol and other transportation agencies.

For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans QuickMap: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

During chase from SF to Martinez Concord man throws bombs at police

By Leave a Comment

Photo source: SFPOA

Started as assault on parishioner inside church

Arrested for attempted murder, multiple explosives charges, assault on an officer, more

Has a history of arrests dating to 2011; CHP assists

By San Francisco Police Department

On Sunday, October 29, 2023, at approximately 5:52 pm, San Francisco Police Officers responded to the 600 block of Filbert Street on a report of a person who had assaulted someone at the location and had reportedly brandished a knife.

According to a post on the SF Police Officers Association Facebook page, the assault occurred at Saints Peter and Paul Church in North Beach. According to an NBC Bay Area news report  police say it started when Garcia punched a parishioner inside the church during mass for refusing to give him money.

Officers responded to the scene. Upon arrival, witnesses directed officers to the suspect with what the SFPOA reports was an improvised explosive device. He had entered a vehicle and was fleeing the area. Officers initiated a pursuit. The suspect failed to yield to pursuing officers.  During the pursuit, the suspect threw two improvised explosive devices out of the car window at pursuing officers. In a later press conference, Assistant Police Chief David Lazar said officers could feel the impact of the explosions during the pursuit.

The pursuit continued onto the freeway, and officers from the California Highway Patrol took over the pursuit. The pursuit came to an end in Martinez, CA where officers from the CHP took the suspect into custody.

The suspect was identified as 42-year-old Concord resident Daniel Garcia. Garcia was booked at San Francisco County Jail on the following charges:

664/211 PC(attempted robbery), 245(a)(1) PC (aggravated assault), three counts of  664/187 PC (attempted murder), three counts of 69 PC (assault on an officer), 2800.2 CVC (reckless evasion), three counts of 12305 H&S unlawful possession of explosive device, three counts of 18715(a) PC (possession of explosive device in public), three counts of 18725 PC (transporting explosive devices), two counts of 18740 PC (setting off explosive with the intent to harm), two counts of 18745 PC (igniting explosive device with the intent to commit murder), 148(a)(1) PC (resisting/delaying arrest), and 21453(a) CVC (disobey red light).

While an arrest has been made, this remains an open and active investigation. Investigators from the San Francisco Police Department Special Investigations Division-Arson Unit are handling this investigation. Also, according to the NBC Bay Area report no one was injured and that police and a bomb squad spent most of the day Monday searching Garcia’s Concord home.

NBC Bay Area reported he was charged in 2011 with possession and use of explosive devices.

Anyone with information is asked to contact SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text  a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Glazer, Grayson request CHP help for Antioch Police Department

By Leave a Comment

Antioch Councilman Mike Barbanica, State Senator Steve Glazer and Assemblyman Tim Grayson are working to get help from the CHP for the Antioch’s depleted police force.

Send joint letter to Governor seeking aid in addressing public safety crisis amid ongoing police scandal

Follows on Councilman Barbanica’s requests of county police chiefs, CHP, Sheriff for assistance

By Allen D. Payton

In early August, Antioch District 2 City Councilman Mike Barbanica asked the City of Antioch to look into getting more help from both the CHP and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office after sideshows got out of hand.

Earlier this month, Barbanica, Acting City Manager Kwame Reed, Acting Police Chief Joe Vigil and two other police chiefs from the county held a meeting but “Vigil said, ‘we don’t need anything’,” the councilman stated.

“Grayson’s office offered help. The chiefs told Vigil you don’t have enough staffing,” Barbanica continued. “I spoke to the city manager. We have a commitment from the county police chiefs that they are ready to assist and provide personnel. The city manager is putting together a plan, and the police department will get assistance for traffic enforcement.”

“I personally met with the Chiefs of El Cerrito and San Pablo, who are the president and VP of the county chiefs association and they are working with Acting Chief Vigil who has assigned Sgt. Rob Green to work with surrounding agencies and traffic enforcement. I had two meetings with Assemblyman Grayson that were very productive. He has assured any help we need out of Sacramento, cutting red tape, he’ll be happy to help with.”

Following up on Barbanica’s request, according to a press release from State Senator Steve Glazer’s office, he and Assemblymember Tim Grayson sent a joint letter to Governor Gavin Newsom today, Wednesday, October 25, 2023, seeking assistance for the city of Antioch’s police force, decimated by years of FBI and local investigations.

The investigations into Antioch’s police ranks have eroded local officers’ ability to maintain public safety in the city, according to Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe in an interview on Senator Glazer’s Podcast, Table Talk.

Senator Glazer also spoke with California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee about the public safety crisis and the request.

“The City of Antioch is struggling with public safety right now, and the CHP can help,” Senator Glazer said.

According to the press release by Vivian Bossieux-Skinner, Glazer’s Press Secretary, Mayor Thorpe, a guest on Senator Glazer’s latest episode on his podcast, Table Talk, said, “we have about four or five officers at any given moment patrolling our streets,” in a city of 120,000 people.

Mayor Thorpe said the low numbers of police officers on duty at any given time means police response times can be excessively long depending on the crime being reported. Thorpe said more than half of the 87 city-authorized officers are on leave because of the investigations into the force, leaving just over 40 officers to patrol the city.

“We can use the help because it would drastically reduce time in which an officer can respond to a crime,” said Mayor Thorpe on Table Talk.

These safety concerns were echoed by Mayor Thorpe on Senator Glazer’s Table Talk; the two areas that were decimated as a result of the racist text messaging scandal were traffic and investigations. “And so, it has had real impacts on the community in terms of keeping them safe,” Thorpe said.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has already assigned CHP officers this year to cities that request the help; the City of San Francisco has had CHP assistance in dealing with the Fentanyl crisis since May and Oakland has had CHP help since August in dealing with road-related incidents to give City police officers more time to focus on solving violent crime.