Highway 4 crash claims life, shuts down corridor

A fatal collision on Highway 4 near the Old River Bridge in Discovery Bay claimed a driver's life Saturday afternoon, snarling traffic and prompting a lengthy investigation.

Truck driver dies in multi-vehicle accident

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to the scene around 3:45 p.m. after reports of a three-vehicle crash. Initial investigations suggest a sequence of events that culminated in the death of the driver of a white truck.

According to the CHP report, a red Chevrolet Silverado was traveling west on Highway 4, with a motorcyclist in pursuit. Simultaneously, a white truck was heading east. For reasons yet determined, the Silverado driver braked sharply and swerved into the opposite lane, colliding with the white truck. The impact sent the truck careening into the motorcycle, which then overturned and struck an irrigation canal.

The driver of the white truck was pronounced dead at the scene. The motorcyclist sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The driver of the Silverado escaped without injury. The CHP is not investigating DUI as a factor at this time.

The highway, including the Old River Bridge, remained closed for several hours as authorities investigated and cleared the wreckage. The road reopened around 7:30 p.m., but delays were expected throughout the evening. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of safety on our roadways.