Driver Killed In Highway 24 Crash Tuesday
A motorist was killed when their car veered off westbound Highway 24 at Acalanes and struck a tree or other obstruction in Lafayette Tuesday. The crash was reported at approximately 5:16p.m.
Rescuers found the driver, subsequently identified as James Richardson, 45 of San Leandro, pinned and unresponsive in the wreckage of his car and rendered life-saving CPR while trying to extricate the victim.
Traffic quickly backed up behind the crash and the CHP declared a SigAlert for the area, closing the slow lanes through the area.
The precise cause of the crash remains undetermined at this time, though it was raining and the roadway was slick at the time.
The California Highway Patrol confirmed this information Wednesday morning:
LAFAYETTE, CA – On March 31, 2026, at approximately 5:16 pm, officers assigned to the California Highway Patrol, Contra Costa Area Office responded to a solo vehicle crash which occurred on State Route 24 westbound east of Acalanes Road, in the city of Lafayette.
The preliminary investigation indicated that a sedan was traveling on State Route 24 westbound east of Acalanes Road, and for an unknown reason, left the roadway and struck two trees. At the time of the crash, it was raining, and the roadway was wet. Upon arrival of California Highway Patrol officers and medical personnel, the solo male driver was extricated from the vehicle. Despite medical aid, the driver succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. It was determined the driver was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of crash.
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Oh no. How many people have we lost on Highway 24 in recent years?
If it’s eastbound, there was a similar accident at that location several years ago. The road surface has long waves which can upset a vehicle traveling way too fast. Combine that with a driver who does not know to keep the steering wheel straight when landing from a jump, and a spin-out can result.
I see solo wrecks there once week!
This past Sunday morning there was a black Dodge Charger all crashed with airbags all deployed between two trees on the up slope next to the road west bound before tunnel. CHP had just arrived. Couldn’t tell whether this happened overnight it was just spotted or what. Main reason I bet is people are speeding probably 80 to 100 mph to get themselves in these wrecks. Especially when the road is slick from rain
We were afraid of that. It looked very bad condolences to his family.
Another craash this morning!!
Yes ma’am… two of them, actually.