Pleasanton Man Drove 120+ MPH Drunk Before Fatal San Ramon Crash: Police

SAN RAMON, CA — A Pleasanton man now charged with murder and four other felony counts was traveling over 120 mph when his Telsa collided with a Ford Bronco, killing a 41-year-old Castro Valley woman, San Ramon police announced Thursday.

Badal Dholaria, 28, was driving at more than 150 mph westbound on Crow Canyon Road last Saturday, according to the San Ramon Police Department's Traffic and Investigations Division's preliminary findings. This led to him striking the rear passenger side of the Bronco at a time when he was driving at least 120 mph.

On Wednesday, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office announced that it was charging Dholaria with second-degree murder and four other felony DUI counts: two counts of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury, two counts of driving with a .08% blood alcohol content causing injury, and enhancements alleging great bodily injury to both the Castro Valley woman and another passenger, a 40-year-old man from Castro Valley.

Dholaria is in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility as of Thursday, with bail set at $1,200,000, according to the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office.

Dholaria was arraigned Thursday afternoon in Martinez. The details of his plea are not available as of Thursday evening.

“I want to be clear: every DUI-related incident represents a choice -- a choice that can kill. If you're impaired, don't drive,” Contra Costa County DA Diana Becton said in a statement. “Every time you get behind the wheel under the influence, you're gambling with lives. Whether it's alcohol, marijuana, prescription medications, or illegal drugs, any substance that impairs your ability to operate a vehicle safely makes you a danger on our roads.”

SEE ALSO:

• Woman Killed In San Ramon Crash, Pleasanton Resident Arrested On DUI Suspicion: Police
• Major San Ramon Street To Close Part Of Wednesday For Police Investigation