Antioch Man Died in Walnut Creek Accident
A car accident took place on October 31, 2017, in Walnut Creek. It is located in Contra Costa County. A motorist passed away after crossing over into opposing traffic. Their vehicle collided with an oncoming SUV.
What Happened?
Police in Walnut Creek indicated that a crash report came in shortly after 9:15 in the evening. The driver of a Ford went onto the center divider at Treat Boulevard near Cherry Lane and Sheppard Road. The vehicle rolled an undetermined number of times before it hit an oncoming Toyota SUV. Witnesses reported that the driver had been speeding when the crash occurred. This was corroborated by physical evidence found at the accident site by police.
Accident Fatality and Injury
According to the coroner’s office of Walnut Creek, the man killed in the crash was identified as Matthew Peck, age 37, a resident of Antioch. The SUV driver suffered injuries described as moderate. He was found standing outside his or her vehicle when emergency personnel arrived. The injured accident victim was transported to a hospital for medical treatment. The driver of the SUV remained unidentified at the time of this report. An autopsy, including a toxicology report, is scheduled for the deceased man. It will be conducted by the coroner’s office. It will be used to determine if alcohol or drugs played a part in the crash.
Our deepest sympathies go out to the friends and family of Mr. Peck during this difficult time. We would also like to wish for a full recovery for the other injured driver. Our readers should remember to practice safe driving habits to protect themselves and others.
Accident Statistics for Contra Costa County
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, there were 406 accident fatalities and injuries in Walnut Creek in 2014. Thirty-four crashes involved alcohol consumption. Accidents that were speed-related totaled 94. This is a high number considering the total number of accidents. Contra Costa County showed a total of 4,390 accident injuries and deaths. Alcohol was involved in 470 of the crashes. About 989 showed excess speed as a factor.
Speed as a Cause of Accidents
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports that speeding nationwide contributed to fatalities in 27 percent of all accidents. A total of 9,557 persons died. Speeding was determined to be a factor in those crashes. Excess speed contributes to accidents in the following ways:
- An accident caused by a speeder can lead to injuries that are more serious.
- A speeder is more likely to lose control of his or her vehicle.
- Stopping distance is increased the faster a vehicle is moving.
- Personal protection equipment such as seat belts and airbags are less effective at higher speeds.
Related Articles by Antioch Car Accident Lawyer, Ed Smith:
- 4 People Injured after Antioch Collision
- Fatal Antioch Motorcycle Accident
- Antioch Resident Killed in Rollover Accident
Antioch Car Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, an Antioch car accident lawyer. Sometimes motor vehicle accidents are unavoidable as illustrated by the Walnut Creek accident. When this happens and you or a family member are injured, you need an experienced injury lawyer to help you. You can call me anytime for free and friendly advice at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400. An online form is available on my website, AutoAccident.com.
In my 35 year career as a personal injury lawyer, I have assisted many Northern Californians. This includes helping residents in Antioch and Walnut Grove to recover compensation. Go to Google, Avvo, and Yelp to see what my former clients say about my practice.
Summaries of prior cases can be found on my website’s settlements and verdicts page.
I am a California member of the Million Dollar Advocates. It is a nationwide group of trial attorneys with settlements or verdicts of at least $1 million for injured clients.