Home Brentwood Update: Vasco Road Shut Down After Fatal Traffic Accident

Update: Vasco Road Shut Down After Fatal Traffic Accident

by ECT

At 10:27 am Saturday, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District firefighters and CHP responded to a reported traffic accident with possible fatality on Vasco Road.

The accident has shut down both directions of traffic and an off duty Livermore Police Officer may have reported the accident and was on scene.

Upon arrival of Battalion Chief 5 at 10:41 am, he reported two vehicles were involved in the accident with one patient laying in the roadway and that a vehicle was on fire. He also reported one patient was trapped, but was unclear which vehicle the person was in.

Due to weather, CALSTAR was attempting to make it to the scene but was trying to find a way to the incident by 10:45 am.

As of 11:02 am, Battalion 5 reported a patient with moderate injuries was being transported to a local hospital.  Animal Control was also requested for an animal which was deceased.

Update 11:05 am: CHP has confirmed this accident has had a fatality. No further information was provided.

Update 1:05 pm: CHP has re-opened Vasco Road and the SIG-ALERT has been cancelled.

Update 2:06 pm: CHP Press Release:

At approximately 10:25 AM this morning, a Porsche traveling on northbound Vasco Road veered into the southbound lane and sideswiped a BMW. The Porsche continued out of control and was broadsided by a Scion. The driver of the Scion was able to escape his vehicle before it became fully engulfed by fire. He was transported to a local hospital due to his injuries.

The driver of the Porsche and his chocolate Labrador both died at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in this traffic collision. The driver of the BMW, his wife, and their 22 month old son were not injured. A SIGALERT was issued for both directions of Vasco Road due to this collision and remained in affect until 1:03 PM.

Vasco-accident-3

Note – check back for updates as information is preliminary per radio traffic. Below is the CHP Log.

Detail Information
10:45 AM17[45] A19-405A REQ SIG ALERT FOR VASCO SHUT DWN / UNK ETA
10:43 AM16[43] A19-405A SCGG, PLS ROLL 2 EVIDENCE TOWS
10:39 AM15[36] 1039 COCO FIRE / SO FAR UTL AT CAMINO DIABLO
10:37 AM14[34] PER ANOTHER 1097 WHI TOYT SCION CATCHING FIRE / ALL OCCUPANTS OO VEH
10:30 AM13[29] [Notification] [CHP]-[27] OFF DUTY LIVERMORE PD ADV 1 MILE JSO CAMINO DIABLO W/1 VEH ON FIRE [Shared]
10:30 AM12[27] OFF DUTY LIVERMORE PD ADV 1 MILE JSO CAMINO DIABLO W/1 VEH ON FIRE
10:29 AM11[23] INJ PTY IS IN OTHER VEH
10:28 AM10[13] OTHER VEHS STOPPING TO ASSIST
10:28 AM9[17] [Appended, 10:28:39] [2] APPEARS TO BE HEAD ON TC
10:27 AM8[10] PER ANOTHER PTYS APPEARS TO BE TRAPPED IN A SIL VEH
10:27 AM7[16] [Appended, 10:28:39] [1] WHI NISS VS ZION TC
10:27 AM6[8] DEBRIS IN ALL LNS
10:27 AM5[7] VEHS BLOCKING ENTIRE RDWY
10:27 AM4[6] WHI VEH VS SIL VEH
10:27 AM3[4] WHI HOND VS UNK VEH
10:27 AM2[3] 1039 1141
10:25 AM1[1] 2 SD’S HEAD ON TC

 

Main Photo by Kerry Ingram, second photo by Karen Ann

 

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38 comments

cathy Feb 7, 2015 - 2:33 pm

Thank you Mike. I love how you post the detail report so there’s no question about the accuracy of your report.

Barbara Feb 7, 2015 - 5:58 pm

Who ever it was that died, I am so sorry to hear of it. It is a road we travel all of the time. So sad for the family.

Jeff Beringer Feb 7, 2015 - 7:52 pm

I was there today and pulled the driver of the scion out of his car. Does anyone know what hospital he went to? I would like to see how he’s doing

Alexis Feb 8, 2015 - 2:23 pm

What is a number we could reach you at?

Celena Feb 9, 2015 - 2:31 pm

Hi are your Roberts girlifriend? I was there helping when this tragedy happened and would like to follow up with Robert to see how he is doing. If you can contact me I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Ms. Martib Feb 9, 2015 - 10:43 am

Please contact me asap . you saved my boy.

Celena Feb 9, 2015 - 2:14 pm

Are you Roberts mother? The young man driving the white scion?

Jeff Beringer Feb 10, 2015 - 5:28 pm

If you would still like to contact me, my number is 925-565-4783

ds Feb 8, 2015 - 9:56 am

I Was there and drove by just minutes after it happen
It was very sad but a lot of people helping the injured driver who was in a lot of pain
We all need to have basic first Aid training
God bless all

LeAndra Goodrich Feb 8, 2015 - 2:52 pm

Wow! I drive that road everyday, took vasco yesterday to get to work. Ended up stuck in traffic and seen fire, was wondering what happened now I know. Ugh its just very sad to hear about all this. I always say to myself and everyone else, that drivers need to SLOW DOWN on vasco road there is no rush drivers, please. Its better to end up late to work or arrive late at home than to lose your life or take anyone elses. I see drivers speeding over the limit all the time day and night flying past me and tail gating not only me but others to get to their location like its a damn race dude. I always go the speed limit 55mph unless any of the signs let me know to reduce speed on certain locations of the road and take my time in fog and rain. I really encourage more law enforcement and highway patrol on vasco road to prevent this from happening again!!! Too much, too sad, too many precious lifes. Again theres no rush people, TAKE YOUR TIME!!! MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT!!!

LeAndra Goodrich Feb 8, 2015 - 2:55 pm

So SAD

Barbara Feb 8, 2015 - 3:48 pm

Don’t assume he was speeding.

Joe Feb 8, 2015 - 6:36 pm

When will they fix this unsafe road into two lanes separated each way? After the County fixes Vasco the Supervisors can talk raise. Stop the deaths on this road now.

Anonymous Feb 8, 2015 - 8:10 pm

Vasco road has been improved significantly over the last decade. Millions of dollars have been spent, however 99 percent of the time it’s not the road, it’s the drivers. Excessive speed for conditions.

Can’t fix stupid.

Frustrated with Vasco Feb 9, 2015 - 8:33 am

@ Anonymous, my son and I arrived on the scene within seconds after the impact and assisted in the rescue, traffic control and I personally had to verify the Porche driver was deceased, not pleasant. That section of road, like a lot of Vasco is banked, add water and you have a recipe for disaster at any speed. I grew up in So Cal where most roads of this type are separated by a concrete barriers why, because even at 30mph this could have been a fatality. After so many fatalities and so much $ spent on improvements you think they (state and local authorities) would have barriers installed by now but you’re right, you can’t fix stupid.

Anonymous Feb 9, 2015 - 4:04 pm

@ Frustrated with Vasco, I’m not sure where you have been for the last few decades but dividing Vasco has been a topic for at least the last 20 years. It is likely due to the estimated costs (over 100 million) since it runs through two counties and through environmentally sensitive habitat. Moreover, I heard numerous times that a concrete barrier prohibits emergency vehicles from quickly reaching an accident. I think we all wish a solution was as simple as you insinuate, but for now slowing down seems to be a viable solution. It is unfortunate that a few treat it as a racetrack from point A to point B. I’m not sure that was the case here but looking at the photos indicates that something caused the accident which could have included excessive speed given the conditions that morning.

Although I wasn’t there, I highly doubt “even at 30mph this could have been a fatality”. Sure anything can happen but slowing down in inclement weather in what is already deemed a safety corridor greatly reduces the likely hood of a fatality. Based on what I have seen over the last few years the safety corridor, reduced speeds due to increased police enforcement has very much reduced the need for a cost prohibitive concrete barrier.

CHP will tell you that excessive speed (for conditions) contributes to 99 percent of all traffic fatalities.

kelley Feb 9, 2015 - 1:47 pm

Sorry for the loss of the person, and his pet. All of us need to slow down. We’ll get there. Rather be late, or get yelled at, than to show up in a wooden box…

kelley Feb 9, 2015 - 1:49 pm

Come on, does ANYBODY that drives a Porsche do the speed limit??

Joe Feb 9, 2015 - 8:10 pm

@Anon. It really shows your priorities over life and money. Your one sick puppy. The county gets more than one hundred million annually for roads. Those stupid little rubber cones don’t do squat. So much traffic and gas tax goes down that road you would think the county would finally put a barrier down the middle.What do you have to say to the victims of the accident. Sorry your life is not more important than money.You are one pathetic individual.

Anonymous Feb 10, 2015 - 10:59 am

@Joe, where do you get so much bad info? You are one ignorant puppy. The county is responsible for hundreds of roads and you want to spend an entire (perceived) budget on a project based on your lack of (traffic engineerin)g knowledge? You have made several erroneous statements yet you wish to direct over 100 million dollars based on what? Ignorance? Lack of judgement? According to many published statistics those “little rubber cones” have reduced accidents and fatalities on Vasco. According to all statistics, the wearing of ones seatbelt also reduces fatalities. Was the driver wearing one? Joe, as the saying goes, “You might want to check yourself before you wreck yourself”. You sir, have a pathetic view of reality.

I hope your driving skills exceed your debating ones. Do us all a favor and SLOW down and pay attention.

Anonymous Feb 10, 2015 - 2:46 pm

Castro Valley man killed in Byron-area crash identified

By Karina Ioffee Bay Area News Group

BYRON — A man who died after crashing Saturday morning on Vasco Road outside Byron has been identified as a 53-year-old Castro Valley resident, according to the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office.

David Allen Deets was driving northbound on Vasco Road when he swerved into southbound lanes and sideswiped a BMW sedan, the California Highway Patrol said. His Porsche was hit by another car that caught on fire, although the driver was able to escape uninjured.

Deets, who was not wearing a seat belt, was partially ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. A chocolate Labrador that was riding in the car with him also died.

The three people in the BMW, including a 22-month child, were not injured.

The CHP is investigating whether speed was a factor on the wet stretch of roadway.

1. “Deets, who was not wearing a seat belt,”
2. “The CHP is investigating whether speed was a factor on the wet stretch of roadway.”

Yeah, it’s everyone else’s (and the roads) fault…

JD Feb 11, 2015 - 9:55 am

I hope people talk like this about you and show no sympathy when it’s YOUR loved one that dies in a car accident.

Anonymous Feb 11, 2015 - 11:49 am

@JD, is that how you show compassion? I simply posted a local newspaper article to back up my prior comments. Is that how you always react or are you just dealing with the first two stages of grief?
http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-5-stages-of-loss-and-grief/000617

Yes, it is a tragedy. But let’s factor a little responsibility where it belongs.

J F Feb 9, 2015 - 8:39 pm

Knew the guy who died very responsible father, husband, and dog lover. I doubt he was spending. He was a great guy who you would be lucky to have as a friend.

khy Feb 10, 2015 - 8:11 am

knew him also, also know he was in no rush , he was out for a relaxing day. Just because he was driving a high performance car ,you assume to much . After reading the reports stating he had no seat belt on makes no sense, as he was ,very responsible , person, I cant stop thinking perhaps he was in a medical situation ,like a heart attack, and he undone his seat belt, for relief. In any case there is no changing the out come, he will be missed dearly. so so sad.

TO Feb 10, 2015 - 3:55 pm

The cause of the accident is, as yet, undetermined. At the EXACT time of this accident there was an extreme downpour making it impossible to see anything.

Dave Deets was a personal life long friend. All he ever cared about was that no one got hurt. And, although the CHP states he was not wearing a seatbelt, he was adamant that it was worn. There is almost no possibility that he did not have his on. The NHTSA website shows that this model and year car had an issue with faulty seatbelt mechanisms, which seems much, much more likely.

The only one that can answer all the questions surrounding this terrible tragedy, is the person who cannot tell us what happened inside that vehicle. My personal guess is that his vehicle hydroplaned.

Sadly and tragically, we have lost him forever and are grateful that no other life was lost in this accident.

Joe Feb 10, 2015 - 8:22 pm

Anon is out of touch with the value of life. He probably lives in Antioch.

Anonymous Feb 11, 2015 - 11:54 am

@Joe, I posted my opinion and then backed it up with a report. I think it is you that is out of touch, angry and in denial. I value life greatly but I value responsibility equally. Stop blaming others for your grief.

http://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/

Frustrated with Vasco Feb 11, 2015 - 7:31 am

Friends of Mr. Deets, please my except condolences. Being one of the first on the scene I can say most certainty, he did not suffer. I pray that that brings you and his family some comfort.

As for the road, I’ve commuted on it since the new section has been open. In my opinion it’s UNSAFE at any speed. Between animals, road debris, bad weather conditions and moron drivers it’s a nightmare. On a couple occasions during hi winds I’ve been blow across lanes despite the stupid cones. I’ve hit a couple animals and debris from other vehicles as well. Any one of these could have caused my vehicle or motorcycle to veer into on coming traffic. This particular section of road in question is heavily banked, I’m guessing 6+ degrees. Just look at the pics of the bystanders near the accident, notice the angle in which they are standing. It was raining and visibility reduced moments before the accident. As you travel north, as you come around that corner you’re steering right and the road edge drops away from you. Any road conditions other than optimal make that one corner alone DANGEROUS and a prime candidate for a fixed barrier. IF, there had been a barrier Mr Deets Porche would have merely bounced off and maybe ended up in the dirt. Now we have another death, another injury, more loss.

If the investigation concludes with speed NOT being a factor than we as a society need to decide how much our lives, the lives of our family and friends are worth. I say build a barrier and be done with it.

Anonymous Feb 11, 2015 - 12:17 pm

@ Frustrated with Vasco, it sounds to me like you are actually just frustrated. While there are few unsafe roads there are many unsafe drivers. Don’t take my word, simply ask any CHP officer or local law enforcement officer. Can’t find one? They can usually be found on either end of Vasco writing traffic citations. You just described one that is often written: “VC22350 violation for unsafe speed”. That is any speed deemed unsafe for given conditions. When it is raining severely as you described, the sped limit is no longer the posted one. When high winds are present, the speed limit is no longer the posted one. When any adverse condition is present, many which you cited, the speed limit is no longer the posted one and you can and will be cited under VC22350. I challenge you to take a drive smart course offered by the CHP in Martinez. It is a real eye opener to the causes of traffic fatalities. It’s no secret that 99 percent involve excessive speed for prevailing conditions. This accident did not happen as a result of driving at safe speeds for the conditions that morning. For whatever the cause, driving without ones seatbelt only raised the odds. The laws are in place to protect everyone, when you don’t follow them and then try to blame the roadway that is just nonsense. See how far that excuse will get you in court. Believe me, judges deal with it every day.

Joe Feb 11, 2015 - 8:11 pm

Anonymous, It sounds to me your are a complete jerk. Everyone knows some people drive poorly. The subject numbskull is preventing innocent people from dying at the hands of jerks like you. There is plenty of money to make Vasco safer than it is.The problem is two fold. The first being the greedy supervisors are more concerned about giving themselves raises over saving life and property. The second thing is that all the Vasco drivers need to complain more or dump the supervisors that are not listening. That plastic crap in the center is a waste. Two days after they spend all the money to fix them they are broken again. I agree with Frustrated. If there was a barrier in the middle this man would be alive today. Vasco needs to be a priority. Wake up transportation leaders and stop the carnage.

Anonymous Feb 12, 2015 - 12:14 am

@ “Joe”, there it is! The “greedy supervisor” line. Finally your real and only agenda rears its ugly head. So how many aliases are you up to now? As usual you want to be an expert about everything by demonstrating you know nothing. Why don’t you back up your BS by actually demonstrating that there is the money (100 million) “to make Vasco safer than it already is”. Face it, you can’t.

You are extremely transparent “Joe”. There is no fix for your special kind of stupid. No amount of legislation or physical barrier can cure what ails you.

No wonder you’re focused on concrete barriers. It’s obvious you have spent a lifetime beating your head against walls.

Frustrated with Vasco Feb 11, 2015 - 3:26 pm

@ Anon

I have a name for individuals like you, “Captain Know it all”. You have absolutely NO facts as to what happened yet you seem to just as easily pass judgement. I do drive that road, I know exactly what I’m talking about and yes those times I was close to having an incident I was below the speed limit so quit preaching speculation.

Anonymous Feb 12, 2015 - 12:41 am

@ “Frustrated” how fitting, (speaking of names). You do seem frustrated, and now we can all see why. You are a fighting an uphill battle with your emotions, and excuses while others post facts. Losing debates is never easy, some might say “frustrating”. Vasco safety has been an east county topic for decades. There are numerous spreadsheets, statistics, task forces, increased traffic enforcement and its a safety corridor but dividing the entire corridor has proven to be cost prohibitive which is cited in all reports. 100 million dollars is not available. There is no money. Why don’t you take some initiative maybe run for office and suggest raising taxes?

So, according to your “opinion” I have no facts. You want to qualify that? Are you suggesting that the CHP or news reports lied when they said the driver was NOT wearing his seatbelt? Are you suggesting the conditions when the accident occurred did not merit slowing down? What is it “Captain Frustrated” that you’re rives you to keep trying to qualify your opinion over the facts?

We all drive that road. It doesn’t make you an experts or traffic engineers anymore than standing in your garage makes you a certified car mechanic.

As for experience with traffic accidents and causes, specifically on Vasco you couldn’t hold a candle to my experience. Don’t kid yourself, you are no expert and haven’t a clue to what you are talking about.

If you can’t handle Vasco at safe speeds, maybe you should drive an alternate route. Oh wait, every other road is also undivided and lacks barriers. I’ll leave you with that to add to your list of frustrations. I’m sure it’s a long one.

Be safe, slow down. Click it or ticket.

RobertT Feb 11, 2015 - 8:03 pm

A concrete divider protects the completely innocent car on the other side of the road. No reasonable person denies their effectiveness.

Mary Piepho and her followers rave about how safe Mary made Vasco by putting plastic delimiters in place. Is it safer? Yes. Is it safe enough? No.

I hear we will have a chance to vote on a sales tax increase to fund even more to roads in this county. If the current state of Vasco is representative of what the County thinks is safe, they will not have my support.

Anonymous Feb 12, 2015 - 12:57 am

@Robert T, what’s wrong, got tired of posting under your other aliases? No bother, it’s the same old crap…very transparent.

Fact is a concrete barrier helps in certain circumstances, but at what cost? There is no magic pot of money. If there was, every twisting undivided roadway would be divided. Ever driven Marsh Creek? Mountain House? Highway 4? Or any one of the narrow, twisting roads that traverse east county? Do you know where to dig up the 100 million that was identified as a cost to divide Vasco? I think that was the cost a few years ago, so I’m betting it’s now closer to 120 million?

I don’t think you should limit support to “Piephos followers” as the ones raving about how effective the improvements are. Unless you think the California Highway Patrol, Brentwood PD and Livermore PD are labeled as “Piepho followers”. Where your argument has an “epic fail” is that the actual statistic disagree with your assumptions. You ought to read the statistical reports, because unlike you, they don’t lie.

Based on your shallow and transparent remarks, I doubt the county (or anyone else) ever had your support, nor would they want it. You are nothing more than a shill.

Frustrated with Vasco Feb 13, 2015 - 10:13 am

@ Anon, I’m sorry but you’re wrong, the money is there however, due to typical bureaucracy 90% of it is being funneled in widening hwy 4. And guess what is going to happen to the east bay when that is completed, major traffic boom through Brentwood, Bryon road, HWY 4 east, Marsh Creek and Vasco.

There have been over 18 fatalities on Vasco alone since 2000. Minor road safety and double ticket fines have done little to slow the death rate. It is estimated 17,000 commuters a day travel that road. Once 4 is completed traffic on Vasco will increase, unfortunately as will the fatalities unless something is done.

I agree with you we need to fix attitudes however, quoting you, “You can’t fix stupid”. If you can’t fix attitudes then what’s the solution? Do we drop the speed limit to 40, than maybe to 30? We can do that.

The company I work for has safety standards in place that are base off OSHA requirements. The FIRST rule of safety in protecting employees is accomplished through engineering. Then we educate these employees on do’s, don’ts, and safe work habits. Everyone is also required to wear some level of personal protective equipment to protect themselves from expected and unexpected hazards. When knowledge, safe work habits and PPE are not good enough we go back to engineering to further ELIMINATE ANY hazards. Do you see where I’m going with this?

If we can’t slow speeders, change attitudes, or sideline mother nature what do we do? This problem is NOT going to go away without drastic action no matter how many statistics or reports you quote, no matter how many warning signs are installed, or how many CHP officers are patrolling. As much as I would like to say “I will all be better tomorrow” it won’t. This is one of the most dangerous roads in CA if not the country and it’s not getting any safer.

We’re talking about protecting the innocent from stupid people and crap happens. Do you have family? Do you really want to put you, your family or your friends lives in the hands of a roll of the dice? If there’s ANTHING that can be done to curb the current death rate on that road then it needs to be done.

As for your comment “but at what cost”, at what point in your life did the bottom line become more important then those around you. Anon I say this with all sincerity, I truly hope the next Vasco fatality isn’t you or someone you love.

In closing, I apologize for calling you “captain know it all”, I said it in haste and I am sorry.

John G. Feb 13, 2015 - 5:43 pm

Frustrated,
There is no need to be sorry for anything. Anonymous is well known in Discovery Bay for protecting those responsible for Vasco with his rhetoric. He has many alias and personal friends with ECT. This is more important than rhetoric and spin. I have many employees that use Vasco on a daily basis. They live in East County including myself. I seldom use Vasco because it is backed up due to over capacity. Vasco does need a concrete barrier to protect the innocent. It also needs to be widened due to the volume of increasing traffic. East County is ready for another housing spurt and Highway 4 is finishing construction only to increase its capacity Vasco will only become more dangerous and deadly. I’m surprised there is not a Vasco website dedicated only to Vasco Road concerns. I’m sure if more people die eventually there will be one unless it is addressed properly. Oh, and in closing I read someone challenging another about one hundred million dollars. When I suggested a sales tax for the fire department I found that Contra Costa Transportation gets eighty plus million dollars just in sales tax. This figure does not include any other federal, state, or local gas taxes it gets. Coincidentally in communicating with two supervisors other than Mary Piepho, the fire tax was not supported but they plan to sell another transportation sales tax soon as Alameda did. If successful, The sales tax revenue for the Contra Costa Transportation would double to One Hundred and Sixty Million annually. This does not include local fees, road building fees, state and federal collected taxes passed through. Lots of cash is there to fix Vasco Road properly. It just needs leadership and support to end these Unnecessary deaths.

Comments are closed.