A car fleeing from police after running a red light in Danville collided with another vehicle, rolled over and caught fire, leaving the driver with major injuries over the weekend, authorities said.
The chase began about 1 a.m. Saturday, the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
A Danville police officer attempted to pull over the car at Diablo Road and El Cerro Boulevard for the stoplight violation, the sheriff's office said.
The car fled east on Diablo Road and onto Blackhawk Road. At the intersection with Camino Tassajara, it ran a second red light and collided with another motorist, according to the sheriff's office.
The vehicle that fled rolled onto its roof and caught fire. Five occupants were rescued and taken to a hospital. The driver suffered major injuries, the sheriff's office said.
The two occupants of the second vehicle were uninjured, it said.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Investigation Division of the sheriff's office at 925-313-2600, through the dispatch center at 925-646-2441 or by leaving an anonymous voice message at 845-846-3592. Information can also be emailed to tips@so.cccounty.us.
Comments
Registered user
San Ramon
on Jun 5, 2023 at 1:48 pm
Registered user
on Jun 5, 2023 at 1:48 pm
More lawlessness in these parts. No respect for the general public and our police officers. A sad state of affairs but one that can change for the better if sentencing standards are enforced.
Solution: put up billboards that clearly state the penalty for reckless driving. Enhance the statute for reckless driving with a mandatory 30-year prison sentence should a victim succumb to his/her injuries as a result of the suspect's reckless driving.
As it stands, California Vehicle Code [CVC] §23103(a) – Reckless Driving – Vehicle Code Section 23103(a) makes it illegal to drive a vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for a victim safety of people or property. Violation of Section 23103(a) is punishable by up to ninety days in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Punishable by up to ninety days in jail? No. Make it one year in jail (full year) for the first offence if there are no injuries to a victim driver. Impound the car if it is drivable and sell it at auction.
Bad habits can change only when the consequences of those actions is not tolerated.
Registered user
Danville
on Jun 6, 2023 at 7:06 am
Registered user
on Jun 6, 2023 at 7:06 am
Why would anyone flee the police when the punishment for running a red light most likely would be a slap on the wrist in today's world?
Sorry how it ended but I wonder if the wreckless driver was concerned about a lot more than the red light.
Registered user
Danville
on Jun 6, 2023 at 7:24 am
Registered user
on Jun 6, 2023 at 7:24 am
"Sorry how it ended but I wonder if the wreckless driver was concerned about a lot more than the red light."
There was one comment to another media outlet that indicated the individual knew one of the occupants of the vehicle and they were teenagers.
So my bet is it was either "not wanting to face daddy," or someone in the car had drugs.
It will be interesting to see how this unfolds in court, that is if the press will report what takes place there.
Registered user
San Ramon
on Jun 6, 2023 at 8:47 am
Registered user
on Jun 6, 2023 at 8:47 am
Most often it’s because the driver has a warrant out for his/her arrest. In other words, law abiding citizens don’t flee from the police over a simple traffic stop - including teenagers. However, in many cases, it’s alcohol, drugs, or firearms that play a role.
To get a good grip on our current state of decency as a society, one needs only to look at the indecency and lawlessness on our highways. Just take a good look at all of the shootings on our streets and highways here in the Bay Area.
A sad and scary state of affairs.
Registered user
Danville
on Jun 6, 2023 at 9:01 am
Registered user
on Jun 6, 2023 at 9:01 am
These were teenagers and it was graduation night. They were probably drunk. Why else would they flee? I doubt they have felony warrants. They're lucky they're alive.
Registered user
Danville
on Jun 6, 2023 at 9:42 am
Registered user
on Jun 6, 2023 at 9:42 am
These were teenagers and it was graduation night. They were probably drunk. Why else would they flee? I doubt they have felony warrants. They're lucky they're alive."
If that's the case, it seems to me that the parents bear the ultimate responsibility here. Unfortunately the response from them will be to hire good lawyers to try and sweep it all under the rug.
Registered user
San Ramon
on Jun 6, 2023 at 10:24 pm
Registered user
on Jun 6, 2023 at 10:24 pm
@Jennifer
You said: “Why else would they flee?”
Maybe it’s because they have no respect for law enforcement or the law, Jennifer. And while we’re at it, blame the alcohol all you want. But it’s ultimately the driver’s responsibility, regardless of age.
Oh, and that part about felony warrants, you have no idea how many people are driving on our streets with felony warrants, failure to appears, and suspended driver’s licenses.
As a side note: California state courts stopped sending notices to the DMV for license suspensions for failure to appear which began January 2023, while requiring the DMV to stop suspending licenses for failing to appear starting on January 1, 2027. Don’t be fooled though, because driver’s licenses can and will be suspended for DUI, evading arrest, etc.
Registered user
Danville
on Jun 7, 2023 at 6:14 pm
Registered user
on Jun 7, 2023 at 6:14 pm
The female occupants were all seniors who had just graduated from Monte Vista. The driver was a male junior. The chances of a junior in high school having warrants. Come on. The chances of being under the influence of alcohol on graduation night. Extremely high.
Sure, they could flee for any reason. But teenagers drink on graduation night. This isn't breaking news.
Registered user
San Ramon
on Jun 7, 2023 at 7:33 pm
Registered user
on Jun 7, 2023 at 7:33 pm
Jen Jen, I was simply giving examples. You really need to calm down. BTW, most teens when pulled over by the police, drunk or not, do not take off. Most.
Registered user
Walnut Creek
on Jun 10, 2023 at 9:29 am
Registered user
on Jun 10, 2023 at 9:29 am
Some automobile manufacturers have considered installing alcohol breathalizers connected to the ignition switch in new cars.
This would eliminate drunk driving.
Registered user
Walnut Creek
on Jun 10, 2023 at 9:29 am
Registered user
on Jun 10, 2023 at 9:29 am
Some automobile manufacturers have considered installing alcohol breathalizers connected to the ignition switch in new cars.
This would eliminate drunk driving.
Registered user
Walnut Creek
on Jun 10, 2023 at 11:42 am
Registered user
on Jun 10, 2023 at 11:42 am
"The female occupants were all seniors who had just graduated from Monte Vista. The driver was a male junior."
^ So much for having a responsible designated driver.