Kirker Pass Crash Leaves One Dead
I’m Ed Smith, a Pittsburg car accident lawyer. One man is dead after a recent Kirker Pass crash in between Concord and Pittsburg that occurred on Tuesday, June 6, 2017.
Details of the Kirker Pass Crash
On 6 June, a man was traveling alone in a Dodge Stealth when he drifted into the center median, striking the concrete divider. The impact sent the vehicle careening into the ditch where the vehicle then rolled. The man was partially ejected from the vehicle and trapped underneath.
The accident occurred near Hess Road on the northbound side of the road, just past the top of the hill. The victim’s name has not been released, but he has been identified as a Bay Point resident.
About the Emergency Response
The first person to the scene of the accident was an off-duty nurse on her way home from work. She stopped and assessed the patient, informing Contra Costa County emergency dispatch that the victim was trapped underneath the vehicle.
The Contra Costa County Fire Department were prepared for a rescue operation when they arrived on the scene but discovered that the patient was already deceased.
Kirker Pass Shut Down
The accident happened around 7:10 p.m. and emergency crews arrived at the scene around 7:20 p.m. They discovered that the people who had stopped for the accident were already blocking one of the northbound lanes of Kirker Pass. They then decided to close the road at Castlewood Drive in Pittsburg and at Clearbrook Drive in Concord.
The southbound lanes were reopened at approximately 7:50 p.m., but the northbound lanes remained closed until almost 9 p.m. as the coroner recovered the body and tow truck wreckers removed the vehicle.
Why Shut Down Both Sides?
First responders often decide to close both directions of Kirker Pass Road in the event of accidents to prevent secondary accidents on either side. Many people will slow down and turn their full attention to an accident when they pass it. This creates a dangerous situation where very few drivers are paying attention to the roadway, thereby increasing the risk of a car accident.
As Kirker Pass is already prone to accidents without having a major distraction for other drivers, crews tend to shut the road down to prevent additional accidents.
The Cause of the Kirker Pass Crash
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is investigating the accident, but have not issued any reports on the potential cause of the accident. Our experience as Pittsburg car accident lawyers offers some explanations.
Kirker Pass Road goes through large hills at the base of the Mount Diablo range. Therefore, at 7:10 p.m. in June, the sun is directly in the eyes of travelers near the top of the main hill where this accident occurred. This decreased visibility may have contributed to the accident.
The timing of the accident may provide another clue as to the cause of the accident: at 7:10 p.m., most people are traveling home after a full day of work. The driver may have therefore been tired and he may have fallen asleep
Speed may have also played a role as many drivers speed excessively on Kirker Pass Road. Even though, the posted speed is 55 mph, it is common for cars to travel at 70 mph where the accident occurred.
Pittsburg Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith and I am a Pittsburg car accident lawyer. Accidents happen all of the time. If you or a loved one is injured in one of these accidents, I welcome you to give me a call for free and friendly advice. I can be reached at (925) 428-5220 and also by my toll-free number: (800) 404-5400.
For 34 years, I have been practicing in the areas of wrongful death and personal injury law.
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You can see my history of representing clients by looking at my Past Settlements and Verdicts page.
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