Two people died following a crash on westbound Highway 4 east of Center Avenue Wednesday, a collision causing both cars to come off the freeway together and into separate trees along Arnold Industrial Drive in Martinez.
Killed were Diana Zuniga, 18, of San Pablo, and Jeremiah Smeby, 49. The crash occurred at around 10:40 p.m. May 9, on Highway 4 between the Morello and Center Avenue exits.
Authorities said Zuniga was driving a gray Honda Civic west on Highway 4 when she collided with a Smeby’s white Toyota.
The impact sent both vehicles down an embankment and they both crashed into trees.
Zuniga was pronounced deceased at the scene while Smeby died at a hospital on Wednesday.
Smeby’s friends set up a GoFundMe account in his memory.
The CHP’s Contra Costa Office issued the following update Thursday morning:
Last night (5/10/23) at around 10:40pm, CHP Contra Costa was advised of a two vehicle crash on westbound SR-4, east of Center Avenue. A grey Honda Civic, with one occupant, was traveling westbound and a white Toyota Corolla, with one occupant, was traveling westbound.
The Honda crashed into the Toyota which caused both vehicles to lose control and leave the roadway. After leaving the roadway, both vehicles traveled down an embankment and crashed into two separate trees. Emergency personnel arrived on scene to perform medical aid. The driver of the Honda was pronounced deceased on scene and the driver of the Toyota was transported to the hospital for major injuries.
Was there traffic at that hour of the night?
I asked the same thing. Was it busy out there that night?
Really sad. Rest is peace buddy. He was an incredibly nice guy and an excellent butcher. A true gentle giant.