Woman Dead After Collapsing Behind Wheel

A 35-year-old Bakersfield woman died Tuesday after collapsing behind the wheel and crashing into multiple vehicles on Interstate 580, California Highway Patrol officer Steve Creel said.

At 7:18 a.m., Courtney King was driving a 2011 Dodge Avenger on the North Livermore Avenue on-ramp to westbound I-580 when she collapsed.

Her foot hit the accelerator, forcing a chain reaction of accidents, Creel said.

The car initially crashed into a vehicle in front of King, which then hit a Richmond police car in front of it.

King's husband, who was sleeping in the back seat, attempted to regain control of the vehicle.

However, the car somehow ended up accelerating in reverse and hit the vehicle behind it on the on-ramp, which hit another vehicle behind it, Creel said.

King eventually was removed from the car and the Richmond police officer performed CPR until firefighters arrived. She was then transported to ValleyCare Medical Center in Pleasanton, where she died.

Prior to collapsing, King had complained of not feeling well and exited the freeway on North Livermore Avenue before attempting to merge back on, Creel said.

No other injuries were reported and officials are investigating King's death.