UPDATED: Two Dead in Suspected DUI Crash in Pittsburg, Driver Identified

The Pittsburg Police Department has confirmed two people are dead and several others injured in a suspected DUI crash Monday.

At 6:03 pm Monday, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District was dispatched to a report of a vehicle crash in 800 block of W Leland Road in City of Pittsburg. Upon arrival, CONFIRE reported 7 injured including 3 critical patients, which included at least two juveniles. There was a report of at least one occupant who was ejected from a vehicle.

Multiple AMR units were dispatched including two medical helicopters. The patient count was later increased to 9 total patients on scene.

9:00 pm Update via Pittsburg Police

Early this evening, just after 6:00 PM, Pittsburg Police Officers responded to the area of West Leland Road, just east of John Henry Johnson Parkway in regards to a traffic collision involving two cars. One of the vehicles involved was a Chevy Camero and the other a Toyota Corolla . While officers were driving to the location, they were advised several of the occupants of the involved cars suffered serious injuries.

As officers arrived, they found three of the juvenile occupants from the Corolla had been ejected from the vehicle. Fire and medical staff were on scene and several of the occupants were transported via helicopter to area hospitals. Other occupants were transported by ambulance.

Initial information indicates both cars were traveling east on West Leland Road. Based on witness statements, the driver of the Camaro was traveling at a high rate of speed when he collided with the rear of the Corolla. This caused the driver of the Corolla to lose control and collide with a tree.

Unfortunately, the driver of the Corolla suffered major injuries and died prior to being transported to a hospital. The other four occupants of the Corolla suffered serious injuries, with the three juveniles seated in the rear seat of the vehicle being ejected, and later transported to area hospitals. Tragically, one of the juveniles from this vehicle suffered critical injuries and later died while being treated at the hospital.

During the investigation, the man driving the the Camaro displayed signs of impairment. The man did not suffer any injuries and was placed under arrest for driving under the influence. The two passengers of the Camaro suffered serious injuries and were also transported to area hospitals.

The Pittsburg Police Department Fatal Accident Response Team, along with detectives, responded to the scene and continued the investigation. This is still a very active incident and no additional information is available at this time. The names and ages of those involved are being withheld at this time pending family notification.

A portion of the roadway has been closed down due to the investigation, and will remain closed for several hours. Updates will be provided when available.

UPDATE #2: TUESDAY AT 11:30 AM

Early Monday evening, just after 6:00 PM, Pittsburg Police Officers responded to the area of West Leland Road, just east of John Henry Johnson Parkway, regarding a traffic collision involving two cars.  One of the vehicles involved was a Chevy Camaro and the other a Toyota Corolla.  While officers were driving to the location, they were advised several of the occupants of the involved cars suffered serious injuries.

As officers arrived, they determined three of the juvenile passengers of the Corolla had been ejected from the vehicle.  The juveniles were later determined to be a 1-year-old, a 4-year-old, and a 7-year-old.  Fire and medical staff were on scene and several of the occupants were transported via helicopter to area hospitals. Other occupants were transported by ambulance.

Based on collision evidence and witness statements, both cars were traveling east on West Leland Road.  It was determined the driver of the Camaro was traveling at a high rate of speed when he collided with the rear of the Corolla.  This caused the driver of the Corolla to lose control and collide with several trees.

Due to the extreme impact of the collision, the driver of the Corolla suffered major injuries and died prior to being transported to a hospital.  The front passenger suffered major injuries but is expected to recover.  Seated in the rear seat of the vehicle were the three children; the 1-year-old was seated in an infant car seat. All three juveniles were transported to area hospitals. Tragically, the 7-year-old child suffered critical injuries and later died while being treated at the hospital.

The driver of the Camaro, 25-year-old Christian Vargas, displayed signs of impairment.  Vargas did not suffer any injuries and was placed under arrest for driving under the influence. The two passengers of the Camaro, one being a 10- year-old child seated in the rear seat, suffered serious injuries and were also transported to area hospitals.

Vargas was booked at the Pittsburg Police Department and later transported to the Martinez Detention Facility, where he is being held on the charges of Felony Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, Felony Driving Under the Influence Resulting in Bodily Injury, and a Violation of Probation.  Vargas was found to be on active court probation for a prior Driving Under the Influence conviction.

The Pittsburg Police Department Fatal Accident Response Team, along with detectives, responded to the scene and completed the investigation.  This case will be presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney later this week.  This is still a very active investigation, and no additional information is available at this time. The names of those involved are being withheld at this time pending family notification.

The roadway of West Leland Road was open to traffic prior to 3:00 A.M. Tuesday morning.