One Dead After Driver Crashes Stolen Car In Martinez Friday

Approximately 1:35am Friday morning, Contra Costa CHP was advised of an overturned solo vehicle collision on HWY-4 westbound, east of Franklin Canyon road. Officers discovered the unidentified male driver had been ejected from a silver Volvo and was found lying in the roadway.

The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency personnel.

A registration/vehicle check was conducted on the Volvo at the scene and it was determined that it had been recently stolen from a residence in Martinez just prior to the time of the collision, according to the CHP.

Initial investigation determined that the driver of the Volvo was traveling westbound on Highway 4 at a high rate of speed, in excess of 100mph. The driver veered into the center dirt median and collided with the center metal guardrail, causing the Volvo to spin out of control. It then hurtled back across the lanes of traffic, overturned, and came to rest on the right shoulder. The driver was ejected through the closed sun roof and landed in the roadway.

This incident is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980.