Contra Costa Herald

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

Solo vehicle fatal collision on Hwy 4 between Martinez and Hercules Monday morning

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By CHP Contra Costa

This morning, Monday, November 1, 2021, at about 10:45 AM, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle collision on westbound Highway 4, east of McEwen Road between Martinez and Hercules. The vehicle (a white Ford Ranger) was traveling westbound and left the roadway, rolling down an embankment. The driver and only occupant of the vehicle was not seat belted and was ejected from the vehicle.

The driver was transported to Contra Costa Regional Medical Center where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

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

Contra Costa Coroner’s inquest jury determines 2020 death of El Sobrante man was a suicide

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Richmond police ended their pursuit of Trottier on Amend Road on July 23, 2020. Photos: RPD

Following vehicle pursuit by Richmond police

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

Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announces that a coroner’s jury today reached a finding in the July 23, 2020 death of 53-year-old Steven Kenneth Trottier of El Sobrante. The finding of the jury is that the death is a suicide.

The coroner’s jury reached the verdict in the inquest after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by hearing officer Matthew Guichard.

Following reports of a man with a gun, Richmond police responded and a vehicle pursuit of Trottier ensued. He stopped his car on Amend Road and died of a self-inflicted gunshot.

A July 23, 2020 post at 9:04 p.m. on the Richmond Police Department’s Twitter feed read, “Richmond police officers responded to the 5000 block of Amend Rd. following a report of a man with a gun. The incident has been resolved and there is no risk to the public. Please avoid the area while the investigation continues.”

A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving law enforcement personnel, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: Accident, Suicide, Natural Causes or At the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

EBMUD road closure for Shakespeare Road cluster pipeline replacement project in Kensington Nov. 2, 2021 – June 2022

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Shakespeare Road Cluster Work Area Map. Source: CCCPWD

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works Department 

Contra Costa County will be issuing a road closure permit to East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) to fully close a portion of Lenox Road, Avon Road, Richardson Road, Stratford Road, Willow Lane, Coventry Road and Ocean View Avenue, in Kensington. Traffic will be detoured via neighboring streets.

The purpose of this road closure is for EBMUD to install 3755′ of 8″ IPVC, 2045′ of 6″ IPVC and 25′ of 2″ copper. Work will begin on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 and last through June 2022, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur between 7:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, weather permitting. The roadway will be reopened at the end of each workday.

Residents can expect pavement saw cutting, trenching, staging of equipment and materials, temporary road closures to through traffic and loss of some street parking, in phases. Some dust and noise can also be expected during the hours of construction. A portion of Lenox Road, Avon Road, Richardson Road, Stratford Road, Willow Lane, Coventry Road and Ocean View Avenue will be closed to through traffic (allowing residential and emergency access only). There will be traffic control throughout the work area so drivers can expect delays. “No Parking” signs will be posted 72 hours in advance of work. Final paving will follow several months after pipeline installation.

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:

Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels and other drainage and over 200 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County. CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sand Bag Distribution and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County. To learn more about CCCPWD, please visit www.cccpublicworks.org

Contact:

For questions, call Community Affairs at 510-287-7208 or email construction-north@ebmud.com Outside of normal business hours, call 1-866-403-2683

 

Kensington: tree pruning and removal along Arlington Avenue Oct. 25-Nov. 5

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A contractor for Contra Costa County Public Works will perform tree pruning and removal operations in the medians along Arlington Avenue between Ardmore Road and Arlington Court in Kensington. Work will begin on Monday, October 25, 2021, and last through Friday, November 5, 2021, barring unforeseen circumstances.

The work will occur Mondays through Fridays between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Traffic control will be implemented. Drivers should expect 5-10 minute delays. The work includes pruning thirty-two (32) trees and removal of ten (10) dead trees as well as ten (10) tree stumps. This work will improve public safety and tree health.

Two cases filed against seven defendants following F.B.I. Safe Streets Task Force operations in Richmond, San Pablo

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Three from Contra Costa

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney

The F.B.I. Safe Streets Task Force in recent months conducted successful enforcement operations due to recent violence in Richmond and San Pablo, which resulted in two criminal cases filed by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. The DA’s Office worked closely with members of the Task Force, as well as the Richmond Police Department and the San Pablo Police Department, to investigate and prevent illegal activity by suspected gang members in the Richmond area.

On September 21, 2021, three defendants, Rohnell Robinson of Fairfield, Jamel Brown of Vallejo and Levi Dossman Mitchell of Oakland, engaged in an alleged conspiracy as Deep C gang members, to murder a rival gang member in Richmond. The defendants traveled from Fairfield to Richmond to commit the crime. When the defendants were arrested, five firearms were found in their car, including an illegal assault rifle with 100-round ammunition drum magazine.

The defendants will be arraigned before a judge on October 28. The criminal complaint against these defendants contains nine felony counts.

On July 1, 2021, Namari Flentroy attempted to kill a victim in his car on San Pablo Dam Road in San Pablo. Two defendants drove their car to try to block surveillance cameras from Contra Costa County to Solano County to aid Flentroy in attempting to conceal the car after the shooting. In total, three defendants were charged as accessory after the fact due to the assistance each defendant gave to Flentroy, who was charged with attempted murder. The following defendants in the July case have all pleaded not guilty to the alleged criminal complaint:

  • Namari Flentroy of El Sobrante
  • Hasan McCaulie of Vallejo
  • Shatiya Henderson of Martinez
  • Teanna Pointer of San Pablo

Both cases are prosecuted under our Office’s Community Violence Reduction Unit and in coordination with the Task Force.

Case information: People v. Mitchell et al, Docket Number 02-335187-1; People v. Flentroy, et al, Docket Number 02-335190-5.

Three-vehicle fatal collision on I-80 near Pinole Valley Road Wednesday morning

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Fourth fatal vehicle accident in Contra Costa, second on I-80, this month

By CHP Contra Costa

Yesterday morning, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, at 5:27am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a three-vehicle collision on westbound I-80, west of Pinole Valley Road. The events occurred as follows, a Yamaha R6 with a single rider was involved in a collision with a GMC Terrain. This initial collision caused the rider of the Yamaha to be ejected from the motorcycle where he was struck by a Ford Excursion with one occupant.

The rider of the Yamaha was transported from the scene by emergency services, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased later that morning. Both the driver of the Ford and the GMC did not claim injuries.

It’s the fourth fatal vehicle accident in the county, and the second three-vehicle fatality on I-80, this month. (See related article)

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

Four die in three fatal collisions in Contra Costa last weekend

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Near Martinez, near El Sobrante, and near Hercules; Coroner releases identities of three from Brentwood, Martinez and San Pablo

By CHP – Contra Costa

Two die in solo vehicle fatality collision on SR-4 near Martinez

Saturday morning Oct. 2, 2021 at about 6:35am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle collision on eastbound Hwy 4, east of McEwen Road. The vehicle (a blue GMC SUV) was traveling eastbound and left the roadway, went down an embankment and collided with a tree. The driver of the vehicle was seatbelted and suffered minor injuries. The two passengers of the vehicle were unrestrained and pronounced deceased at the scene. This collision is still under investigation, if anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980. The county Coroner’s Office released the identities of the deceased, 40-year-old Raymond L. Pattillo from Brentwood, and Holly J. Webster, aged 28 from Martinez.

Two vehicle fatal collision on San Pablo Dam Road near El Sobrante.

Also Saturday morning, Oct. 2, 2021 at around 11:15am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a two vehicle collision on San Pablo Dam Road, north of Bear Creek Road. A red Toyota Tacoma, with one occupant, was traveling northbound and a white Honda Civic, with three occupants, was traveling southbound.

It appears the driver of the Honda was driving on the shoulder to pass traffic, lost control of the vehicle, crossed into the northbound lane and collided with the Toyota. The driver of the Honda suffered major injuries, the right front passenger suffered minor injuries and the left rear passenger suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Toyota was able to walk away with minor injuries. This collision is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980. The county Coroner’s Office released the identity of the deceased as 21-year-old Rodrigo J. Diaz-Reyes from San Pablo.

Three vehicle fatal collision on I-80 near Hercules

Sunday morning, Oct. 3, 2021 at 1:25am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a three-vehicle collision on westbound I-80, west of SR-4. A Honda Accord with one occupant collided with the rear of a Toyota Yaris with two occupants. This initial collision caused both vehicles to spin out of control which ultimately left the Honda disabled and occupied in the lanes. A Lexus RX350 with one occupant approached the disabled Honda and collided with its side in a perpendicular manner.

The driver of the Honda was pronounced deceased at the scene. Both occupants of the Toyota suffered minor injuries. The driver of the Lexus also suffered minor injuries. This collision is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980. The county Coroner’s Office has not yet released the identity of the deceased, pending notification of family.

Please check back later for any updates.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Former Pinole Police officer charged for unlawful recording of sexual encounter with woman

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By Scott Alonzo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney

Former Pinole officer Anthony Vasquez during his oath of office ceremony in 2018. Source: Pinole PD

Former Pinole Police Officer Anthony Vasquez, a 24-year-old resident of Hercules, was charged by the District Attorney’s Office with one felony and one misdemeanor for the unlawful video recording of Jane Doe while he was having sex with her. The alleged violations occurred while Vasquez was employed by the City of Pinole. Vasquez has since resigned from the Pinole Police Department. Complaint Vasquez 09-27-21

Due to the sexual nature of this criminal complaint, our Office will not name the victim involved or describe her in any way. Vasquez recorded the victim without her consent. The defendant had a hidden camera in his bedroom at his home in Hercules that was used for this recording.

Our Office believes there are other potential victims related to Vasquez’s alleged conduct. Anyone with information regarding this investigation please call the DA’s Office, specifically Senior Inspector Steven Cheatham at 925-957-8761.

The case was referred to our Office to conduct a criminal investigation by the Pinole Police Department under the Contra Costa County Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident protocol. Pinole Police Department was contacted by a concerned individual about the incidents.

Case information: People v. Anthony Luciano Vasquez, Docket Number 02-335189-7

Four arrested in Richmond for illegal guns, one stolen, one loaded with extended magazine, drugs, driver for DUI

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Illegal guns seized during traffic stop on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Photo: RPD

During Saturday morning traffic stop

By Richmond Police Department

PROACTIVE POLICING = SAFER STREETS!

Saturday morning, while patrolling the 23rd Street corridor, Officer McDonell saw a car driving without headlights, and conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle.

Upon contacting the driver, Officer McDonell immediately noticed that the driver appeared to be driving under the influence (DUI). Furthermore, he could see open containers of alcohol and marijuana within the car, which was occupied by four other passengers.

During the course of his investigation, Officer McDonell located three illegal firearms within the car! Not only was one of the guns loaded with an illegal 32-round extended magazine, but a records check revealed that a second gun had been reported stolen out of another local jurisdiction.

The driver, who was under the age of 21, was determined to have been driving under the influence (DUI) with the four passengers in her car. RPD officers provided free rides to RPD jail, where the suspects were booked on multiple DUI, narcotics, and firearms-related charges.

We are relieved that this DUI driver, and the illegal firearms in her car, were intercepted before anyone was potentially injured or killed. We are proud of Officer McDonell’s proactive policing efforts to keep our community safe!

Richmond PD is committed to protecting our community, with a zero-tolerance approach if you are caught driving under the influence. Remember – buzzed driving is drunk driving; PLEASE plan ahead and designate a sober driver!

Death of man shot by police in Richmond was at “hands of another person, other than by accident”

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Suspect’s van rams Oakland Police car on April 16, 2020 injuring two officers. Richmond PD video screenshot.

After pointing gun at police, rammed his car into theirs, injuring two Oakland officers

CORONER’S INQUEST JURY FINDING

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

Deceased kidnapping suspect Juan Ayon-Barraza. Photo by Vallejo PD

Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announced that a coroner’s jury Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 reached a finding in the April 16, 2020 death of 24-year-old Juan Carlos Ayon-Barraza of Vacaville. The finding of the jury is that the death is at the hands of another person, other than by accident.

A suspect in the shooting of a Vallejo woman and dumping her body in the Oakland Hills, Ayon-Barraza led police on a chase to Richmond. The suspect pointed his firearm at pursuing officers. Multiple Oakland police officers and a Richmond police officer fired their weapons in defense of their and/or other lives. Simultaneously, the suspect vehicle crossed over into traffic on South 37th Street and Stege Ave. and collided with an Oakland police vehicle. (See Richmond PD video and related article for more details)

Two Oakland police officers were injured during the collision, both considered moderate and non-life threatening. The suspect sustained a fatal gunshot wound during this incident. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female victim sustained critical injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

An Oakland Police Officer on the ground in front of the suspect’s van after being one of two struck when he rammed their cars.

The coroner’s jury reached the verdict in the inquest after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by hearing officer Matthew Guichard.

A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: Accident, Suicide, Natural Causes, At the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.