I-680 Reopens After Fatal Contra Costa Crash

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — One person died in a rear-end collision Tuesday morning on Interstate 680 near Martinez.

The California Highway Patrol responded just after 9:30 a.m. to northbound I-680, just south of Pacheco Boulevard, to a collision involving a Ford F-550 pickup truck and a Ford Escape SUV.

A preliminary investigation by the CHP indicated the F-550, with one occupant, and the SUV with one occupant, were both traveling northbound on I-680 when the driver of the F-550 experienced suspected mechanical issues and stopped in the number one lane.

The SUV driver was not able to avoid the F-550 and rear-ended the truck — causing fatal injuries to the SUV driver, the CHP said.

The Contra Costa County Coroner's Office responded and pronounced the driver dead at the scene. The driver's identity will not be released by the coroner until next of kin is properly notified.

The fatal crash closed the fast lane and two middle lanes and resulted in a sig-alert, according to the CHP.

At 12:04 p.m., the sig-alert was lifted and the affected lanes were reopened to traffic.

The case remained under investigation Tuesday afternoon.

The CHP asked anyone who witnessed it or the events leading up to it to contact CHP Contra Costa in Martinez by calling 925-646-4980. Witnesses can also email their contact information to 320Investigations@chp.ca.gov to be contacted by the investigating officer.