77-Year-Old Woman Was Victim Of Sunday's Hwy 4 Crash

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – A 77-year-old driver died Sunday afternoon when her car veered off a Contra Costa County highway and fell into a ditch before slamming into a tree, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash was first reported at 12:49 p.m. on eastbound state Highway 4, just east of Franklin Canyon Road, near the community of Crockett, CHP spokesman Officer Jonathan Fransen said.

The woman, a Richmond resident, was driving a 2009 Honda Civic when, for an unknown reason, her car veered off the road and struck a metal guardrail. The impact caused the car to ricochet across all of the highway's eastbound lanes and fall into a ditch before striking a tree, according to Fransen.

Medical personnel arrived at the scene but were unable to revive the victim, who was the only occupant in the car. She was pronounced dead at the scene, Fransen said.

Officers believe the woman was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash. Officers are continuing to investigate the possibility that drugs, alcohol, or a medical condition were a factor.

Additionally, officers are taking into consideration that heavy rain had occurred in the area just prior to the crash, according to Fransen.

The coroner is not yet releasing the name of the victim.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is being encouraged to call the CHP's Contra Costa Area office at (925) 646-4980.

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