DUI Driver Hits Police Vehicle, Causing Fiery Chain-Reaction Crash: Authorities

LAFAYETTE, CA — A Walnut Creek man hit a police vehicle while driving under the influence in Lafayette, causing a chain-reaction three-vehicle crash that included a small fire, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.

Kevin Bell, 67, was arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on charges of driving under the influence causing injury and driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher, police said, adding that Bell was being held in lieu of $200,000 bail.

The incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. Friday, when Bell’s vehicle rear-ended a marked Lafayette police vehicle stopped in traffic in the 3600 block of Mount Diablo Boulevard, according to authorities, who said the impact caused the police vehicle to collide with a third vehicle in front of it.

Bell and two Lafayette officers were treated and released at a local hospital, police said.

Bell’s vehicle and the police vehicle were left with major damage, while the third vehicle had only minor damage, according to police. While officers assessed the scene, a small fire ignited in the trunk of the police vehicle, authorities said, adding it was later extinguished.