Wrong-way driver killed in crash after pursuit on Highway 160 in Antioch
At least one person has died and three others were injured in a crash involving a wrong-way vehicle after a police pursuit in eastern Contra Costa County on Tuesday night.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision took place around 9:30 p.m. on Highway 160 near the Antioch Bridge. Officers said the driver, who was traveling in the wrong direction, collided head-on with another vehicle, setting off a series of crashes involving four different vehicles.
Video from the scene showed one of the vehicles involved had overturned in the collision.
According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, the incident began around 9:20 p.m. when deputies attempted to pull over a suspect near Willow Avenue and East 18th Street in Antioch. The driver then led deputies on a pursuit to southbound Highway 160.
Deputies said the driver crossed into the northbound lanes of the freeway, which led them to terminate the pursuit.
The CHP said the suspect, who was driving a Lexus sedan, continued to drive the wrong way onto the ramp connecting eastbound Highway 4 to northbound Highway 160, striking a Mercedes SUV head on. The head-on collision led to a series of crashes involving a Honda and Dodge.
Deputies said the wrong-way driver died at the scene. He has been identified as 50-year-old Victor Vigil of Pittsburg.
The driver of the Mercedes was airlifted to a local hospital with major injuries, according to the CHP. Meanwhile, the driver and passenger inside the Dodge were hospitalized for injuries described as moderate.
The connector from Highway 4 to Highway 160 was closed for several hours after the collision.
Anyone with information is asked to either contact the Investigation Division of the sheriff's office at (925) 313-2600, over email or to leave an anonymous voice message at 866-846-3592. Information can also be provided to the Contra Costa Area office of the CHP at 925-646-4980.or 320Investigations@chp.ca.gov.
