Driver Who Died After Fiery Vallejo Crash Was Intoxicated: Police

VALLEJO, CA — An investigation has revealed that a 31-year-old Vallejo man who died after suffering severe burns in a fiery crash was intoxicated, a Vallejo police official said Wednesday. The driver, identified as Brandson Roberson, was hospitalized after the crash that happened at about 7:20 a.m. Sept. 1, 2018 on Overland Alley west of Sutter Street.

Roberson later died from complications of the significant burns he suffered, according to police.

The morning of the crash, emergency personnel responded to find a 2015 Kia Optima engulfed in flames. Roberson was found nearby, suffering from significant burn injuries over most of his body.

Witnesses told police they saw him on fire inside the car.

Investigators believe Roberson was driving east on Overland Alley when he crashed into a wooden fence and his car caught fire.

"The collision and fire investigation revealed that the low-speed impact with a fence caused the vehicle to be wedged and immovable under its own power," Vallejo police Lt. Michael Nichelini said Wednesday.

"In an attempt to free the stuck vehicle, Mr. Roberson created enough friction of the spinning tires to ignite one of them and ultimately the entire the car," Nichelini said.

Vallejo fire and police investigators now believe Roberson's impairment hampered his ability to get out of his car as it burned.

"The fire that burned him was not caused as a result of the collision but from Mr. Roberson's application of the vehicle accelerator," Nichelini said. "A toxicology test found that he was over three times the legal limit to operate a motor vehicle."

Police determined at the time of the crash that no other vehicles or people were involved.

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