Mathew Vellankal and Dominic Jala Killed in Broadside Crash on Highway 20 [WILLIAMS, CA]

East Bay Pastor and Archibishop from India Dead in Crash Involving Big Rig on Highway 20 near Highway 16

 
WILLIAMS, CA (October 10, 2019) – The pastor of a Concord church and an archbishop visiting from India were killed in a broadside crash involving a big rig Thursday afternoon in Colusa County.
 
According to the CHP, a Toyota Prius pulled in front of an oncoming tractor-trailer on Highway 20 while making a turn from Highway 16 around 2:20 p.m. The big rig then broadsided the car.
 
As a result, two men inside the Prius died at the scene. Another passenger was taken to Santa Rosa Hospital with major injuries.
 
The Diocese of Oakland confirmed Saturday that Father Mathew Vellankal, the pastor of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, was one of those killed.
 
Dominic Jala, an archbishop from the northeast Indian state of Meghalaya, was also killed in the crash.
 
Vellankal and Jala were in the front seats of a Toyota Prius.
 
The badly injured passenger was identified as Father Joseph Parekkatt of St. Anne Parish in Walnut Creek.
 
Highway 20 was shut down in the area until before 5:00 p.m., Caltrans said.
 
Further investigation of this crash is underway.

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Our deepest condolences are with the families and friends of Mathew Vellankal and Dominic Jala. We also wish Joseph Parekkatt a swift and steady recovery.

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