At roughly 6:50 pm Saturday, a man suspected of being under the influence caused a four-vehicle crash near Gilman Street in the City of Berkeley where two-people were transported to the hospital.
An off-duty Concord Police Department officer, who witnessed Blackwell flee the scene, was able to stop Blackwell after he landed on the city streets below. Blackwell was then arrested on scene by officers from the CHP Oakland Area Office for felony hit and run, felony DUI causing injury, as well as driving without a license. Blackwell also had two warrants out for his arrest, one for weapons violations and the second for kidnapping.
Here is the release from CHP:
Reckless DUI Driver causes multi-vehicle collision, attempts to flee & is arrested by CHP, had kidnapping warrant outstanding
DUI COLLISION ON I-80 INVOLVING FELON AT LARGE
On 6/14/14 at approximately 6:48pm, CHP Dispatchers began receiving calls regarding a reckless driver in a small red vehicle on I-80 W/B near Gilman Street in the city of Berkeley. At approximately 6:50, CHP Dispatchers then began receiving calls relating that the same red vehicle, a 1994 Mazda, was involved in a traffic collision. The collision involved a total of four vehicles and two people were transported to local hospitals as a result, one for major injuries.
Immediately following the collision, the driver of the Mazda (Robert Blackwell 2/14/64 of Oakland) attempted to flee the scene on foot and jumped off of the elevated portion of I-80. An off-duty Concord Police Department officer, who witnessed Blackwell flee the scene, was able to stop Blackwell after he landed on the city streets below. Blackwell was then arrested on scene by officers from the CHP Oakland Area Office for felony hit and run, felony DUI causing injury, as well as driving without a license. Blackwell also had two warrants out for his arrest, one for weapons violations and the second for kidnapping. Blackwell also sustained major injuries as a result of the incident and was transported to a local hospital.
The CHP would like to remind people that if they see a reckless driver or a potentially drunk driver, to call CHP to report the incident at 911 or at 707-551-4100. Do not attempt to follow the vehicle, simply provide the dispatcher with a description of the vehicle and if possible, a license plate.
Source: CHP
