Concord, CA — In the early hours of Monday, October 19, 2026, a head-on collision involving a wrong-way driver resulted in two of those involved losing their lives and three others sustaining injuries, according to KRON, with additional details from CHP Fatal.
the California Highway Patrol first received reports of a Lexus IS 350 driving southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 680 around the Willow Pass on ramp at 1:50 AM. Soon after, a head-on crash was reported between two black sedans near the Lazy Dog restaurant.
The Lexus was reportedly driven by a woman. Her passengers included a man in the front-right seat and a man and woman in the rear. Both of her rear passengers were pronounced dead at the scene.
The only occupant in the other vehicle, described as a Chevrolet sedan, was its driver, another woman. She, the Lexus driver, and Lexus front passenger received transportation to nearby hospitals for treatment of major injuries.
CHP closed northbound 680 and notified area law enforcement. Traffic was diverted onto Highway 242. Around 6:26 AM, all lanes had reopened.
The Lexus driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Car Accidents in Concord: Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims
If the Lexus driver is convicted of driving under the influence, she may be considered to have committed “negligence per se.” This means that, by violating a traffic safety law, she would meet the legal definition of negligence and may be found liable for the injuries and deaths of those involved in this collision.
The families of her backseat passengers may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim, which can help recover damages such as funeral expenses and the loss of support and companionship the deceased provided. The other driver involved and the Lexus front-seat passenger could have grounds to pursue personal injury claims. A personal injury claim can provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the accident.
California Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been affected by an accident similar to the one described here on Interstate 680 around the Willow Pass on-ramp, a California car accident lawyer may be able to answer any questions and provide a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation.
