1 Driver Dead, 1 Hospitalized In I-80 Contra Costa Crash

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — The California Highway Patrol was investigating a multiple-vehicle fatal crash Friday on Interstate 80 in the Rodeo-Hercules area.

The collision was reported shortly after 4 a.m. on westbound I-80 just east of Willow Avenue and blocked all westbound lanes — prompting a sig-alert.

Around 4:45 a.m., the eastbound lanes were also briefly closed so a helicopter could land and transport a patient to an area hospital. Patients were taken to the Kaiser hospital in Richmond and John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.

The CHP's preliminary investigation indicated a silver Chrysler 300 driven by an adult male was traveling westbound on I-80 when it collided with another (gold) Chrysler 300. CHP Officer Daniel Gilmore said the silver 300 overturned and came to rest on its roof, blocking lanes.

Several minutes later, Gilmore said, a third vehicle, a white Mazda3 driven by an adult female, was traveling westbound on I-80 and crashed into the silver 300.

The driver of the Mazda3 suffered major injuries and was taken to a hospital where she was expected to recover.

The driver of the silver Chrysler was also taken to a hospital where he died from injuries suffered in the crash. Gilmore said the initial investigation indicated he was not wearing a seat belt.

The driver of the gold Chrysler was not injured.

The freeway lanes were reopened by around 5:30 a.m.

The crash was still under investigation; the CHP asked anyone who witnessed it or the events leading up to it to contact the CHP Contra Costa in Martinez at 925-646-4980 or email their contact information to [email protected] to be contacted by the investigating officer.