1 Dead, 9 Injured In Suspected DUI Crash In East Contra Costa County

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — DUI is suspected in a crash Wednesday on Byron Highway that claimed one life and left nine other people injured, authorities said.

The California Highway Patrol responded at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday to Byron Highway near Camino Diablo to find that a Chevrolet Suburban carrying nine people had collided head-on with an Acura Sedan, the CHP said.

The preliminary investigation indicated the Acura sedan was traveling southbound on Byron Highway and the Suburban was traveling northbound when the driver of the Acura allowed their car to cross the double-yellow lines into the path of the Chevrolet.

Following the initial crash, both cars continued off the roadway and struck telephone poles, the CHP said.

Eight people in the Suburban suffered moderate injuries and one passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Acura, who was alone in the car, suffered minor injuries and was booked into the Martinez jail on suspicion of DUI, the CHP said.

The fatal crash sparked a roadside fire and closed Byron Highway in both directions.

The CHP was still investigating the collision and asked anyone who witnessed it or the events leading up to it to call the CHP Office in Martinez at 925-646-4980.