Update: Northbound lanes of I-680 reopen after fatal multi-vehicle crash in Martinez
A deadly collision involving multiple vehicles on northbound I-680 past Highway 4 in Martinez shut down lanes for hours Tuesday morning as authorities investigated the incident.
According to CHP, the incident was first reported shortly after 9:30 a.m. on northbound I-680 near the Pacheco Boulevard and Arthur Road exit. At least three vehicles including a white SUV and a black pick-up truck were involved. CHP said the vehicles and debris from the collision blocked lanes 1-4. A sig alert was issued for the lane closure shortly before 10 a.m.
UPDATE: Driver killed in multi-vehicle crash on northbound I-680 in Martinez identified
At about 10 a.m., Contra Costa Fire confirmed it had several units on the scene. CHP also said multiple tow trucks were called.
The coroner was also called to the scene of the crash at around the same time. Contra Costa County Fire Protection District spokesman Capt. Chris Toler later confirmed that one man died in the collision.
As of around 11:15 a.m., the two right lanes had reopened, but the two left lanes were still closed. CHP said all lanes had reopened around noon.
CHP later said someone driving a Ford F-550 truck had suspected mechanical issues and brought the truck to a stop in the far left lane of the highway. The driver of a Ford Escape was unable to avoid the truck and crashed into the rear of it.
The Ford Escape driver was pronounced dead at the scene and is not yet being identified by the county coroner's office pending notification of next of kin. The truck driver was not injured in the crash, according to the CHP.
Anyone with information about the crash or witnessed the events leading up to it is asked to call the CHP's Contra Costa-area office at (925) 646-4980 or to email 320investigations@chp.ca.gov.
