Home Discovery Bay & Byron CHP Announces Arrest in May 2018 Fatal Hit and Run in Discovery Bay

CHP Announces Arrest in May 2018 Fatal Hit and Run in Discovery Bay

by ECT

The California Highway Patrol issued an update in a fatal hit and run that occurred at Highway 4 at Bixler road in Discovery Bay on May 4, 2018.

CHP announced that CRYSTAL DIANE LIA, 36 from Discovery Bay, surrendered to the court on March 11, 2019.

CHP released the following information:

Back on May 4, 2018, Contra Costa CHP began an investigation of a FATAL Hit & Run on HWY-4 at BIXLER ROAD in DISCOVERY BAY. In brief summary, the deceased was located the next day just off the roadway with no real leads that were presented early on, which compounded the tragic loss of life for the family of the deceased because we were unable to provide any clear details of what really happened at that time.

Our CHP Officers began the investigation and followed many leads, including working along side our special investigations unit, but were unfortunately unsuccessful in locating the suspect or suspect vehicle.

Then in late 2018, CHP received a tip with information regarding the investigation. This led to locating the vehicle involved, and a possible suspect as well. But many more hours of hard work were put into the case to obtain solid evidence, records, interviews, warrants, etc.

Then just last Friday, March 8th, 2019, all the long hours and hard work of the investigation finally sprouted the fruits of the Officers labor. CHP was successful in filing a criminal complaint for Vehicular Manslaughter (DUI) and Felony Hit & Run with enhancements. The Judge set bail at $300,000.

The suspect was not immediately located. But later a peaceful & successful surrender was negotiated with the suspects attorney and the suspect, CRYSTAL DIANE LIA, 36yr old from Discovery Bay, surrendered to the court yesterday, 3/11/2019.

If you have any information regarding this incident from May 4 2018, or the morning of May 5 2018, and would like to come forward to provide that, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980. Thank You.

Although the life that the suspect took cannot be replaced, we hope that this will begin to bring some closure to the family that lost their loved one nearly one year ago.

You may also like

3 comments

Peter Basso Mar 13, 2019 - 12:56 am

This is an example of why we MUST have cameras up and down freeways which would have helped locate the perpetrator faster. People also might pay more attention to their driving if they knew the cameras were there.

Kim Mar 13, 2019 - 10:35 pm

I agree

Kim Mar 13, 2019 - 10:41 pm

Theirs too many deaths on hwys and roads around discovery bay and delta hwy 4 and its usually hit and run. Families killed. I’ve noticed more in last couple years. I’m not saying this is the problem but there is a lot of people under influence coming from bars all along delta and summertime that rate goes higher. Not bars fault. It the person driving they may think oh I’m ok to drive but their not. I’m sure their horrified I would be ! I couldn’t live myself if I killed someone on accident. Just my opinion. But It is windy roads and at night dark!

Comments are closed.