Worker on I-80 project hit by stolen vehicle during chase in Vacaville
VACAVILLE — A road worker on an Interstate 80 widening project suffered major injuries after being hit by a stolen vehicle during a chase in Vacaville, authorities said Tuesday.
The California Highway Patrol Solano said the vehicle was stolen by an armed suspect in Oakland on Monday. Shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the suspect — later identified as 29-year-old Oakland resident Damani Mathews, Jr. — was located in the vehicle by a Contra Costa County sheriff's deputy along eastbound I-80 at Cummings Skyway.
The sheriff's office said the deputy tried to pull Mathews over near the Carquinez Bridge toll plaza, but he continued driving away. Once in Vallejo, the deputy had to fall back after losing sight of the vehicle.
CHP Solano patrol cars took over the chase. The CHP officers eventually backed off due to the chase becoming increasingly dangerous, which prompted a CHP helicopter to take over the pursuit.
Once in Vacaville, Mathews entered a work project on the eastbound side of the freeway near Alamo Avenue, the CHP said. The suspect first hit the road worker before crashing into the center divider.
With the vehicle disabled, Mathews tried to get away on foot. The CHP set up a perimeter and located Mathews at 10:55 a.m. He was first treated at a hospital for minor injuries before being booked into the Solano County Jail on multiple felony charges.
The freeway worker remains hospitalized.
