Pair Seriously Injured Trying To Run Across I-680 [UPDATE]

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – Two people suffered life-threatening injuries when a car hit them as they tried to run across Interstate Highway 680 in Walnut Creek this morning after a fender-bender, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The man and woman were driving south in a silver Honda Accord on Highway 680 near Ygnacio Valley Road when they rear-ended another car, a gray Toyota Sienna, at about 8:15 a.m., CHP Officer Brandon Correia said.

No injuries were reported, and both cars pulled into the center median, ostensibly to exchange insurance and contact information.

However, as soon as one of the people in the rear-ended car started to call 911, both of the people from the Accord jumped the center divider and tried to run across the northbound lanes, Correia said.

They only got past the fast lane before someone driving a maroon Hyundai Sonata hit them, knocking both of them across two lanes of traffic, all the way to the right-hand shoulder, according to Correia.

They were taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek with major injuries.

The incident resulted in the closure of the far right northbound lane of Highway 680 near the Ygnacio Valley Road off-ramp and caused traffic delays in both directions for about an hour, Correia said.

"This is what you call a preventable collision," Correia said.

The driver of the Sonata did not sustain any injuries.

It his unknown if alcohol or drugs were involved, and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone who witnessed either collision or has information regarding them, is asked to contact Contra Costa CHP Officer Adolphsonat 925.646.4980.

• Also see: Escaped Inmate Still On The Lam

--Bay City News contributed to this report/Shutterstock image