Wrong-Way Driver and Passenger Dead in Head-On Crash in Orinda, Five Others Badly Injured
ORINDA, CA (June 30, 2019) – A driver suspected of being under the influence and his passenger were killed in head-on crash early Sunday morning in Orinda.
The fatal crash happened around 1:52 a.m. on westbound Highway 24 between Fish Ranch and Wilder roads.
According to the CHP, a silver Saturn Vue, driven by a 35-year-old Eleazar Perez-Lopez, was traveling the wrong way on westbound Highway 24 going up the Fish Ranch Road exit, when it collided head-on with a black Toyota Camry.
As a result, the male passenger in the Saturn died at the scene. He was later identified as Benigno Ramirez-Jimenez, 26, of Oakland.
Paramedics rushed Perez-Lopez to a hospital, where he also succumbed to his injuries.
Five men in the Toyota suffered major injuries. Authorities have not provided any updates on their conditions.
Officials said Perez-Lopez was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. They found more than one alcoholic containers in the Saturn.
Authorities asked anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact their Contra Costa office at 925-646-4980.
With thoughts of peace and comfort, we would like to send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Benigno Ramirez-Jimenez and Eleazar Perez-Lopez.
If you have suffered a loss of a loved one in an auto collision, please contact the Sweet Lawyers at your earliest convenience. Our primary goal is to help families and victims find justice, compensation, and hope for a brighter tomorrow. We understand the pain that comes with losing a loved one and we will not rest until we bring to justice those who are at fault. We will make things as easy as possible and will guide you through every step of the legal system. Call us for a free consultation at (800) 674 7852.