Truck Slams Into Bay Bridge Toll Booth, Killing Attendant; Driver Suspected of DUI
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- A suspect has been arrested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter in the death of a toll worker Saturday morning when a truck hit her toll booth on the Oakland side of the Bay Bridge.
Daniel Berk, 32, of Foster City, is under arrest, according to California Highway Patrol spokesman Vu Williams.
Around 5:10 a.m., a line of vehicles was waiting at the toll booth when a box truck hit the last vehicle in line, causing a chain reaction, according to Williams.
The truck continued westbound and hit the toll booth. The driver of the truck -- believed to be Berk -- and a passenger were hurled from the vehicle onto the road. The driver suffered major injuries and was hospitalized, according to Williams.
The passenger suffered minor injuries and was hospitalized, Williams said. Five other motorists from the vehicles involved in the collision were also taken to the hospital with injuries ranging from minor to moderate.
All the motorists were taken to Highland Hospital, according to Williams.
The crash created a traffic nightmare on surrounding Bay Area roads and freeways, but by around 7 p.m. westbound traffic was once again moving across the bridge.
Earlier, the northbound Interstate 880 to westbound Interstate 80 connector was closed, as well as the bus lanes, the HOV lane from westbound I-80 and the HOV lane from I-880 northbound, while the investigation continued.
The six toll booths on the right-hand side of the approach to the bridge remained closed all day as the CHP investigates, according to Robert Haus, a Caltrans spokesman.
Capitol Corridor officials said connecting bus service to and from San Francisco has resumed. Earlier, that service was suspended. Transit officials said to expect delays. AC Transit buses also resumed normal service.
Gov. Jerry Brown extended condolences to the family, co-workers and friends of Caltrans toll collector Si Si Han, who died when the box truck hit the toll booth where she was working, Brown said.
Han, 46, was a Caltrans employee for more than 10 years. She is survived by her husband, Ryan, and their 10-year-old daughter, Ashly, according to a statement from the governor. Flags at the Capitol were lowered to half-staff in her honor.
Her co-worker Latasha Luster remembers when Han was pregnant with her daughter and said Han and her husband were "inseperable."
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