Contra Costa Herald

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

Two-vehicle fatal crash on Hwy 4 near Bay Point Friday night

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By CHP – Contra Costa

Last night (6/30/23) around 8:16pm, CHP Contra Costa was advised of a two-vehicle crash on eastbound SR-4, west of Bailey Road. A GMC pickup, with two occupants, and a Volkswagen Sedan, with one occupant, were traveling eastbound on Hwy 4. Our preliminary investigation indicates the GMC collided into the Volkswagen which caused the GMC to leave the roadway and overturn. During the crash sequence, both occupants of the GMC were ejected from the vehicle.

Emergency personnel arrived on scene to render aid. Both occupants of the GMC were transported to the hospital and were later pronounced deceased. The driver of the Volkswagen was not injured.

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 320Investigations@chp.ca.gov.

 

One dead, 3 injured in 3-vehicle head-on crash on Vasco Road in Byron Wednesday

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Photo courtesy of Gayle John.

By Allen D. Payton

According to CHP-Contra Costa, “This afternoon (6/21/23) at approximately 1:57pm, CHP Contra Costa responded to a three-vehicle crash on Vasco Road south of Camino Diablo.

Our preliminary investigation indicates a Dodge Ram, with two occupants, was traveling southbound on Vasco Road while a Toyota Tacoma, with one occupant, and a Chevrolet Express, with one occupant, was traveling northbound on Vasco Road. The Dodge and the Toyota collided head on, due to the Dodge crossing into the northbound lane. The Dodge began to overturn in the southbound lanes and the Chevrolet collided with the Dodge.

The driver of the Toyota was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the Dodge sustained major injuries, the passenger of the Dodge sustained minor injuries and the driver of the Chevrolet sustained minor injuries.”

According to Con Fire PIO Steve Hill, “we responded to reports of a head-on collision between a pickup and a van on Vasco Road just south of Byron this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. On scene, we found a head-on between two pickups and a third vehicle, a small service van, that had gotten involved in the mix-up between the first two vehicles.”

One victim was dead at the scene and there were three injured. Two victims needed extrication, which we accomplished. Two were seriously injured and transported by air ambulance to John Muir Walnut Creek, a third injured party was transported by ground to Kaiser Antioch.

Vasco Road was closed for a couple of hours by CHP as we used it not only to respond to the accident scene but also to land the two air ambulances for transport to hospital. We cleared around 4:00 p.m. after remaining on scene to help with the cleanup. I do not know when Vasco Road was reopened by CHP. I do not have any further information on the three injured parties.”

According to an ABC7 Bay Area News report, “Two people had to be extricated from the vehicles; one at 2:30 p.m. and the other at 2:47 p.m. The victims were transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, including a 31-year-old man and a 40-year-old.”

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 320Investigations@chp.ca.gov.

As of publication time it was not known if Vasco Road had been reopened.

 

 

CHP to secure safe start to summer with holiday Maximum Enforcement Period efforts

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Friday evening through Monday night, May 26-29

By Jaime Coffee, CHP Media Relations

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Memorial Day weekend is quickly approaching, and many Californians are preparing to kick off the summer with a holiday gathering or road trip. Forty-five people were killed in crashes in California during last year’s Memorial Day weekend, nearly a 30 percent increase from the same period in 2021.  The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has a plan to help people arrive to their destinations safely, while reducing the number of deadly crashes on the state’s roads.

Beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, May 26, the CHP will implement a statewide Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) in anticipation of the increased traffic that often accompanies a holiday weekend.  The MEP will continue through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 29.

“The core mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security to the communities we serve,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee.  “This holiday, motorists can expect to see additional CHP officers patrolling California’s roadways.  All available uniformed members of this Department will be on patrol during this Memorial Day MEP.  Our primary focus will be to enhance public safety, deter unsafe driving behavior, and when necessary, take appropriate enforcement action.”

In addition to assisting motorists and looking for traffic violations that often lead to serious injury or death, such as failure to wear a seat belt, speed, and distracted driving, CHP officers will be paying close attention to people who are suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs and/or alcohol.

CHP officers made nearly 900 DUI arrests during the Memorial Day MEP in 2022. Keep yourself and others who are on the road safe by designating a sober driver or using a ride-share service.

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.

The CHP’s Memorial Day MEP coincides with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s ongoing Click It or Ticket campaign, which continues through

June 4. Seat belts save lives. Take two seconds to secure your safety and buckle up.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Filed Under: CHP

CHP shifts into overdrive to halt illegal street racing, sideshows

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Source: CHP

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is accelerating its efforts to halt illegal street racing and sideshows plaguing the state’s roadways and destroying the lives of innocent victims. To increase awareness about the devastation and destruction caused by this illegal and dangerous driving behavior, the CHP unveiled a new multi-media campaign while standing amid a three-dimensional installation featuring an actual crashed vehicle along Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles.

The billboard, a striking visual reminder, is just one of the more than 50 displays being erected throughout the state reminding drivers about illegal street racing and sideshows, “Thrills That Kill.”  The public can expect to see the billboard campaign through the summer months in areas of California that have seen a high number of illegal street racing and side show activity. Among the locations:  Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and the Central San Joaquin Valley.

Illegal sideshows have been occurring at an alarming rate in California, and they continue to get bigger and more dangerous.  In 2021, the CHP responded to more than 7,300 incidents statewide with nearly 123,000 participants. While the number of incidents decreased by approximately 50 percent last year, there is still a significant amount of work to be done to keep California’s communities, and those who use our roads, safe.

“Illegal street racing and sideshows put lives at risk, upset the quality of our neighborhoods, cause damage to private and public property, and in some cases, have resulted in the death of innocent people,” CHP Deputy Commissioner Troy Lukkes said. “Through our ongoing efforts we want to send the message throughout California that this dangerous and illegal activity will not be tolerated.”

Over a five-year period, illegal street racing and sideshow activities have resulted in 264 crashes. Of those incidents attributed to this reckless behavior, 30 crashes were fatal, and 124 others resulted in injuries.

To combat this trend, the CHP has been working with its public safety partners and community-based organizations throughout the state. Together, we are engaging in a strong education and enforcement campaign with the goal of keeping all who use California’s roadways safe by encouraging others to make good choices behind the wheel.

Funding to support the CHP’s efforts were made possible by the Governor’s approval of a one-time state budget allocation of $5.5 million at the request of California Assemblymember Vince Fong and a former Assemblymember, Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper. The funds are being used to support state and local task forces to end dangerous sideshow activities that have become a major problem in communities throughout the state.

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

CHP Officer injured by suspected DUI driver on Hwy 242 in Concord

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Traffic was blocked in all lanes of Hwy 4 westbound in Concord Saturday night, April 8, 2023.

By Adam Lane, PIO, CHP-Contra Costa

Last night, April 8, 2023, at 8:22pm, a CHP Contra Costa Officer was conducting an enforcement stop on a Chevrolet on the right shoulder of southbound Hwy 242, south of Hwy 4. The Officer was standing near the Chevrolet when a Mercedes traveling southbound veered from the roadway and struck the rear of the Chevrolet. The force of the crash caused the Chevrolet to strike the Officer standing near it.Our Officer was transported to the hospital where she was treated for her injuries and later released. She is expected to make a full recovery. The driver of the Chevrolet suffered potential minor injuries and was transported to the hospital. The driver of the Mercedes sustained no injuries and was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.

Traffic was blocked in all westbound lanes of Hwy 4 from the Hwy 242 interchange to east of the Port Chicago Highway offramp causing a back-up on the freeway until about 8:55 p.m.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Solo vehicle fatal crash on Highway 4 near Bay Point takes life of Concord man

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By CHP Contra Costa

Tuesday night, April 4, 2023, at about 11:21pm, CHP Contra Costa was advised of a solo vehicle crash on westbound Hwy 4, near Bailey Road. A blue GMC Envoy, occupied by one driver, was traveling westbound on Hwy 4 when it collided with the center divide, and continued on to collide with a light pole and a tree along the right shoulder. CHP and emergency personnel arrived on scene and the driver (adult male) was pronounced deceased.

The Contra Costa Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Heneli Halaliku, a 57-year-old male from Concord.

Our preliminary investigation indicates the GMC was traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the crash and the driver was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. 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.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Concord man dies in two-vehicle crash near Walnut Creek

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By CHP Contra Costa

Sunday morning, April 2, 2023, at approximately 5:42am, CHP Contra Costa responded to a two-vehicle crash on Treat Boulevard at Alderwood Road near Walnut Creek.

Our preliminary investigation indicates a Nissan van, with one occupant, was stopped facing westbound on Alderwood at Treat Boulevard. The driver of the Nissan exited and stood behind his vehicle. At this time, a Honda Accord was traveling westbound on Treat Boulevard, approaching the stopped Nissan.

The driver lost control of the Honda and simultaneously struck the Nissan and the driver standing behind it. The driver of the Nissan was pronounced deceased on scene and the driver of the Honda was transported to the hospital with major injuries.

The Contra Costa Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Sergio Quilici, a 34-year-old male from Concord.

This crash is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this crash or the events leading up to it, call CHP in Martinez at 925-646-4980.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Vehicle vs. pedestrian fatality on Hwy 4 in Brentwood early Thursday

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By CHP – Contra Costa

This morning, Thursday, March 30, 2023, at about 3:32am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash on Hwy 4 eastbound on the Lone Tree Way on-ramp in Brentwood. At the time of the crash, a pedestrian was within the roadway of the on-ramp. A Toyota Camry traveling on the on-ramp was unable to avoid the pedestrian and struck them. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene and the driver of the Toyota was not injured.

UPDATE: The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Brian Posch, age 50-year-old transient.

This crash is still under investigation. If you have additional information you believe would assist in the investigation please contact CHP Contra Costa in Martinez, (925) 646-4980

Ring in the New Year responsibly – designate a sober driver

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Photo: CHP

Maximum Enforcement Period Friday night 12/30/22 – Monday night 1/02/23

Multi-state DUI Enforcement Campaign 12/30/22-1/01/22

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) urges everyone to ring in 2023 responsibly by designating a sober driver.

The CHP will conduct a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) starting at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, December 30, 2022, continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, January 2, 2023.  During that time, all available CHP officers will be out on patrol with a focus on removing impaired drivers.

“Every year, people’s lives are impacted forever by making the decision to get behind the wheel while under the influence,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said. “Driving impaired is never worth it and certainly not the way to ring in the new year – always designate a sober driver.”

During the previous new year’s MEP, 29 people were killed and CHP officers arrested 495 impaired drivers.  Additionally, the CHP issued over 2,300 citations for speeding and 26 citations for seat belt violations during the same time period.

To help bolster this year’s holiday traffic safety effort across state lines, the CHP will again coordinate with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and law enforcement partners from all over the Western United States.  With this year’s “Eyes on the Interstates” initiative, officers from Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, and Montana will be teaming up with the CHP to increase awareness about driving under the influence and removing impaired drivers from the roadways.

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

CHP report: Antioch Mayor’s Blood Alcohol Level during DUI arrest was .121 and .124

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Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe was arrested on March 19, 2022, for DUI. Later that day in an apology video he said, “I never felt inhibited by the drink I had with my dinner”.

Enough for 3 drinks for his body weight, more than “the drink…with dinner” he admitted to; lied to CHP officer; failed field sobriety tests; refused breath test during stop

By Allen D. Payton

According to the arrest report of his DUI arrest in March Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe had a Blood Alcohol Level of .121% and .124% according to two chemical breath tests he was administered. Released by the California Highway Patrol on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, the report also reveals Thorpe failed the field sobriety tests in a variety of ways including having nystagmus which is defined as, “uncontrolled repetitive movements of the eyes” and “the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath”. Thorpe DUI Arrest 3-19-22 Report Redacted

Yet, in an apology video on his official Facebook page later that morning, Thorpe said, “I never felt inhibited by the drink I had with my dinner”. He was pulled over by CHP Officer J. Dagnino at about 1:15 AM.

The report also shows Thorpe lied to the officer about having anything to drink.

“I asked Lamar if he had consumed any alcoholic beverages prior to driving and he related he had nothing to drink,” Rosario wrote.

The report shows the 41-year-old Thorpe, who was wearing a “Michelob Ultra” wristband at the time of the stop, “was struggling to maintain a center lane position” while driving northbound on I-680 in Concord at 59 MPH.

During the field sobriety test, while standing on one leg he, “Swayed from center, left to right” and “lost his balance” during the Walk and Turn portion of the field test. Officer Dagnino wrote that he, “advised Lamar of the PAS (Preliminary Alcohol Screening Device)…and he refused to provide a sample.”

Blood Alcohol Content and Level

According to Law and Daily Life “The definition of blood alcohol content is the blood alcohol level expressed as a percentage” and “Generally one drink is considered: (1) 12 fluid oz. beer, (1) 5 fluid oz. glass of wine or (1) 1.5 fluid oz shot of hard liquor.”

The arrest report shows Thorpe weighs 120 pounds. According to the DMV’s BAC chart that means he had to have consumed at least four drinks prior to his arrest, not taking into account the reduction by 0.01% for each 40 minutes of drinking. His two tests were administered at 2:13 AM and 2:19 AM, which means his BAC was higher at the time he was driving an hour prior.

12-28-22 9:00 PM UPDATE: However, the original arrest report issued in March shows Thorpe weighs 150 pounds which according to the above chart clearly requires at least three drinks to be legally intoxicated. Chp288B.THORPE Report of Arrest 3-19-22

An email was sent to CHP PIO Andrew Barclay Wednesday evening for clarification of which weight for Thorpe is correct. Barclay responded, “His license lists 120 lbs., but as you know you can claim whatever. I would not know what his current weight is as it is inconsequential in our investigations.  The 150 could simply be a typo.”

According to reports from Antioch residents and restaurant staff members who chose to remain anonymous, Thorpe was seen drinking at an Antioch restaurant earlier that day prior to leaving the area.

Transcript of Report

Observation Prior to Contact

“On 3/19/2022 at approximately 0110 hours, I was on patrol, in full CHP uniform, driving a fully marked black and white CHP patrol vehicle, with my partner Officer J. Del Rosario #22568 (passenger). On the date and time mentioned, I was traveling northbound on I-680, just south of Monument boulevard within the #4 lane, monitoring traffic. Traffic was moderately light, and I observed a silver SUV just ahead of my location, within the #5 lane, that was struggling to maintain its center lane position. I accelerated my patrol vehicle and positioned it directly behind the silver SUV, now identified as a silver Volvo with a California license plate of (redacted) and continued to monitor the Volvo’s driving behavior. While monitoring the Volvo’s driving behavior, I observed the Volvo continue to struggle to maintain a center lane position, by crossing over the broken white lane divider line on left side and the solid white line on the right side. The Volvo was also traveling at approximately 59 MPH in a posted 65 MPH zone.

After observing the Volvo’s driving behavior, I activated my patrol vehicle’s emergency CODE 3 lights and initiated an enforcement stop on the Volvo. The driver of the Volvo applied the brakes and began to pull to the right shoulder on SR-242 northbound, just north of the I-680 transition. Using the patrol vehicle loudspeaker (PA) my partner began to instruct the driver of the Volvo to exit at the Clayton Road exit. The driver of the Volvo continued to drive on the shoulder of SR-242, until my partner directed the Volvo to turn right onto Market Street and pull to the right curb edge, just south of Clayton Road. The Volvo followed instructions given by my partner and pulled to the right curb edge, just south of Clayton Road and Market Street intersection. I parked directly behind the Volvo, exited my patrol vehicle and made a passenger side approach of the Volvo.

Observation Upon Contact

I contacted the driver, who was the only occupant in the vehicle, through a lowered passenger window and immediately detected the odor of an alcohol beverage emitting from within the Volvo. I advised the driver for the reason of the stop and asked for his license, registration, and insurance. The driver provided me with a California Driver License and was positively identified as Lamar Anthony Thorpe with a date of birth of 04/06/81 and [redacted].

Upon contact, Lamar displayed objective signs and symptoms of intoxication; watery eyes, droopy eye lids and slurred speech. Lamar was also wearing a white Michelob Ultra wristband around his right wrist and related he was on his way home from dinner. I asked Lamar if he had consumed any alcoholic beverages prior to driving and he related he had nothing to drink. I directed Lamar to exit the vehicle and meet me near my patrol vehicle to answer a series of questions and perform a series of voluntary field sobriety tests. Lamar exited his vehicle and met me on the concrete sidewalk. While speaking with Lamar outside the vehicle, I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath. I asked Lamar the remainder of the Pre-FST questions which he answered accordingly. I explained and demonstrated a series of Field Sobriety Tests to Lamar, which he did not complete as explained and demonstrated.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus

Lamar related he was wearing soft contact lenses. His eyes were watery, his pupils were equal, and he was able to track the tip of my finger with both eyes. He displayed the following:

  • Lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes
  • Distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes
  • Onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees in his right eye, at approximately 40 degrees
  • Lack of convergence in his left eye.

During Walk and Turn, Lamar displayed the following:

  • Lamar lost his balance during the instruction phrase. I instructed him to set back up in the starting position.
  • Lamar used his arms for balance by raising them more than six inches from his sides.
  • Stepped offline between steps 5 and 6, during the first set of steps
  • Missed heel to toe contact by more than 1” between steps 3 & 4 of the first set.

One Leg Stand:

Lamar raised his left foot for the test, and he displayed the following:

  • Swayed from center, left to right
  • Used his arms for balance by raising them more than six inches from his sides.
  • Put his foot down twice and was instructed to lift his foot and continue to test

Modified Rhomberg

Lamar was instructed to end the test once he reached an internal estimated count of thirty seconds, he ended the test at fifty-two seconds.

  • His eyes displayed tremors
  • He swayed from center, front to back
  • Lamar displayed a bouncing pulse in his neck

ARREST

Due to Lamar operating a motor vehicle upon a highway, his admission to operating a motor vehicle, the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath, his objective signs and symptoms of alcohol impairment (water eyes, slowed/ slurred speech, droopy eye lids) and his poor performance on the field sobriety tests, I determined Lamar was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and was impaired. I placed Lamar under arrest for violation of California Vehicle Code section 23152(a) VC (Misdemeanor, DU). Lamar was searched incident to arrest and placed in the front seat of my patrol vehicle. I advised Lamar of Implied Consent (23612 VC) and he chose to submit to a chemical breath test.

Lamar was transported to the CHP Contra Costa Area Office for the chosen chemical test. I observed Lamar for fifteen minutes prior to administering the chemical breath test to ensure he did nothing to compromise the test. Lamar provided two breath sample with results of .121% and .124%. I advised Lamar of Trombetta and he declined any further testing. (According to LosAngelesDUIAttorney.com, “California v. Trombetta was a Supreme Court case that found that police do not have to preserve DUI breath test samples like other evidence. It was also be used as a precedent…to establish rules for destroyed or missing evidence).

Following the chemical test, Lamar signed the CHP 215/ Promise to Appear in my presence and was released to [redacted].

EVIDENCE

Item #1            1 Compact Disc containing video of news clip/ suspect’s admission to driving while under the influence.

OTHER FACTUAL INFORMATION

The same morning following the incident, ABC 7 news uploaded an article regarding the arrest/ incident. In the video, Lamar Anthony Thorpe (Mayor Antioch, Ca) relates he was arrested by California Highway Patrol for driving under the influence. In the video, Lamar related he assumes full responsibility for his actions and admits to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. The video was copied onto a compact disc, booked into the CHP Contra Costa temporary evidence locker and a copy was attached with this report.

The patrol vehicle utilized is equipped with a Wireless Mobile Video Audio Recording System (VVMVARS) that was on at the time of the incident and which may or may not have captured all relevant information.

RECOMMENDATION

I recommended a copy of this report be forwarded to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution of Lamar Anthony Thorpe for the following charges:

  • 23152(a) VC – Misdemeanor – Driving Under the Influence.
  • 23152(b) VC – Misdemeanor – Driving Under the Influence over .08% BAC.”

———-

Found Guilty on One DUI Count

As previously reported, Thorpe, through his attorney, pled no contest to both charges, during his court hearing, on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. According to the Felony and Misdemeanor Clerk’s Docket and Minutes he was found guilty on the second count of DUI over .08% BAC and the other charge was dismissed. Thorpe Clerk’s Docket and Minutes 12-13-22 redacted

According to the Misdemeanor Order of Probation, Thorpe was fined $1,749 and was sentenced to two days I prison with one day credited and is eligible for the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program for the one remaining day. Thorpe was also sentenced to three years of probation and cannot drive a vehicle with any measurable alcohol in his blood and must attend and complete a three-month alcohol program. Thorpe Misdemeanor Order of Probation 12-13-22 redacted

He was given the Watson advisement. According to LosAngelesDUIAttorney.com, A “Watson advisement” is a formal statement you must sign after being convicted of DUI. It says you understand that driving under the influence can injure or kill people, and it can be used against you if you ever cause a DUI accident in the future. Legally, this means that you could be tried for second degree murder if your DUI kills someone.”

Please check back later for any updates to this report.