Fatal crash in East Bay comes after driver speeds away from sheriff’s deputies

CROCKETT — A person who accelerated in a vehicle when Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office deputies tried to pull him over on a freeway early Monday died after crashing in the Crocket Hills, authorities said.

The pursuit began in the area of eastbound Interstate 80 and the Willow Avenue exit in Hercules, according to a statement from sheriff’s office spokesperson Jimmy Lee. The crash on the Cummings Skyway came minutes after deputies stopped pursuing the vehicle, he said.

The driver died at the scene after being ejected. Authorities said it was a male but did not identify him or give his age, pending notification of relatives.

It all started about 1:25 a.m. when deputies received a report of a stolen vehicle. Deputies tried to stop the vehicle but lost sight of it after briefly giving chase, Lee said. At that point, deputies stopped the pursuit, according to Lee.

Reports of a vehicle crash on the Cummings Skyway came minutes later, Lee said. Deputies found the vehicle in a ravine.

The Cummings Skyway traverses the Diablo Range southeast of Franklin Canyon and connects Interstate 80 with state Highway 4 while allowing an exit into Crockett.

The sheriff’s office is investigating the incident along with the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, per the protocol on any incident that ends with a death.