Fatal Accident in Walnut Creek:
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — A teenage driver died, and a passenger was injured when a car crashed into a power pole in Walnut Creek early Thursday morning, according to police.
The crash happened on Ygnacio Valley Road, near the Walnut Creek Financial Plaza. The vehicle flipped over and was crushed after hitting the power pole shortly after 1 a.m.
The 18-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the passenger was taken to the hospital but is expected to be okay.
Joseph Jarosch, who was working at a nearby gas station, described the moment of the accident. "It was a loud bang and a solid thud when the car hit the pole, and then it cracked and fell," Jarosch said. "I went out to see if I could help anyone, and others had already called 911. I ran back to get the First Aid kit, but by the time I had it, there was already an ambulance on the scene."
Police stated that no one else was involved in the accident and believe the car was going fast, though they are still investigating.
The accident left the gas station without power for just over an hour, and part of the road was closed for investigation. Walnut Creek Police Lt. Jeff Slater said that PG&E responded to restore power, but the road was expected to remain closed for most of Thursday due to damage to the power pole.
"Unfortunately, due to the damage to the pole, traffic may be diverted all day while they replace it," Lt. Slater said.
Jarosch expressed his sorrow about the incident: "I just hope the family can pull through. It's a terrible thing to have to go through."
Contact us here on the WarmuthLaw website or through our hotline 888-517-9888.
