Fatal Hwy. 24 collision under CHP investigation
LAFAYETTE — California Highway Patrol officers were investigating a vehicle collision that claimed at least one person’s life and closed multiple Highway 24 lanes early Monday evening, authorities said.
In a statement shared to social media, the CHP said officers responded at 4:38 p.m. to reports of a solo collision in westbound Hwy. 24 lanes east of Pleasant Hill Road.
When officers arrived, they learned that the driver of a 2017 white GMC Sierra pickup truck was in the westbound No. 3 lane when witnesses said it suddenly veered across all lanes of westbound traffic, leaving the roadway and heading up a dirt embankment before striking a metal pole.
The collision crushed the truck’s cab, gravely injuring the adult male solo driver. Contra Costa County Fire Protection District firefighters also responded and provided care to the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity was not immediately available, and the CHP said the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office coroner’s division would handle its release.
Investigators had no preliminary information about alcohol or substances as collision factors.
At 5:24 p.m., CHP officers declared a Sig-alert blocking the highway’s Nos. 3, 4 and 5 lanes, with no estimated time of reopening. The alert was lifted and all lanes reopened to traffic at 8:20 p.m.
Anyhone with information about the collision may call the CHP’s Contra Costa office at 925-646-4980.
Check back for updates.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.