WALNUT CREEK, CA – One driver was killed in a wrong-way crash in Walnut Creek Wednesday, police said.
According to the California Highway Patrol, on Wednesday at about 12:18 a.m., officers assigned to the Contra Costa area office responded to a broadcast regarding a wrong-way driver traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 680, south of Lake Herman Road, in Solano County.
The vehicle, described as a dark-colored Toyota RAV4, was initially reported heading toward the Contra Costa area, authorities said.
Multiple subsequent callers reported the same vehicle at various locations already within the Contra Costa Area on I-680, officials said.
As officers were responding and attempting to intercept, the Toyota crashed head-on with a white Dodge Challenger on the transition ramp of eastbound State Route 24 to northbound I-680, authorities said.
The crash resulted in major damage to both vehicles, police said.
The driver of the Dodge sustained fatal injuries during the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene, authorities said.
The driver of the Toyota sustained major injuries and was later transported to the hospital for treatment, officials said.
While at the scene, officers conducted a DUI investigation and determined the driver to be driving under the influence, police said. The driver was subsequently arrested and will be booked on felony charges of DUI and vehicular manslaughter once medically cleared, police said.
The eastbound SR-24 to northbound I-680 transition ramp was closed at 12:48 a.m. for an on-scene investigation and reopened at approximately 8:36 a.m., police said.
This crash remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the incident or the events leading up to it is asked to contact the Contra Costa Area office in Martinez at 925-646-4980 or email contact information to 320Investigations@chp.ca.gov to be contacted by the investigating officer.
CHP issued no other information on the wrong-way driver.
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