Deadly Crash on Interstate 80
In the early morning hours of Sunday, October 3, 2021, a person was killed, and three others suffered injuries in a three-car collision on Interstate 80 (I-80).
Details of the Deadly Three-Car Collision
Officers from the Contra Costa Office of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to reports of a collision that were called in at around 1:25 a.m. Sunday morning. The crash site was on westbound I-80, west of State Route 4 in the city of Hercules. Upon arrival at the scene, responding officers found three involved vehicles, two of which had overturned. All lanes of traffic were blocked.
Investigation revealed that a Honda Accord had rear-ended a Toyota Yaris, which caused both vehicles to spin out. The driver of the Accord was the only occupant of that vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two occupants of the rear-ended Yaris were injured and transported from the scene by ambulance.
Following the initial impact with the Yaris, the Accord became disabled on the highway and was then struck in the side by an oncoming Lexus RX350. The driver of the Lexus suffered injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
Brief Closure of the Highway
The aftermath of the accident required a brief closure of the busy interstate, but all lanes were reopened by 1:42 a.m., except for the Highway 4 connector, which was reopened when the accident site was fully cleared at approximately 4:00 a.m.
Investigation Into the Cause of the Three-Car Collision
The cause of the three-vehicle crash remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the incident or the events leading up to the crash is asked to call the Contra Costa Area CHP Office at (925) 646-4980.
Major Danger: A Disabled Vehicle on the Highway
There are few scarier thoughts than imagining your vehicle becoming disabled on a busy highway in the middle of the night. It is likely that the Accord was hit shortly after becoming disabled. Whether the Lexus was traveling too fast for conditions is unknown. What are some things you should do if your vehicle becomes disabled on a busy highway or freeway?
- If your car is still moving, try to coast and steer the vehicle as close to the shoulder as you can.
- If your vehicle is completely disabled on the highway, stay in the car with your seat belt on. This is the best chance you have to survive an impending crash. A pedestrian struck at highway speeds is very unlikely to survive.
- Switch on your hazard lights as well as the interior lights in your vehicle to make the car more visible.
Watch the YouTube video. The news clip below, which reports on a similar tragedy, offers tips from highway patrol officers about what to do if your car becomes disabled on the highway.
Vallejo Personal Injury Attorney
Hello. Thanks for reading our report on this tragic three-car collision on Interstate 80. I’m Ed Smith, a Vallejo personal injury lawyer. The details of this horrific incident are terrifying. In the darkness, it can be nearly impossible to see a disabled vehicle on the highway before it is too late. If you or someone you love has suffered injuries in a car crash that was caused by another driver’s negligence or error, please call our firm to talk with a skilled injury lawyer. We are happy to offer free and friendly legal advice. Our local number is (707) 564-1900. If you will be calling from a different area code, please use our toll-free line: (800) 404-5400.
To learn more about our firm and our high-quality legal services, see our settlements and verdicts page and visit the following websites, at which client reviews are posted:
Photo: Paolo Nicolello on Unsplash
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