Richmond, CA – On February 27, 2016 at approximately 1:08 AM, the California Highway Patrol, Golden Gate Communications Center began receiving calls of a traffic collision on Interstate 80 W/B near Hilltop Drive in Richmond. Officers responded to the scene and located the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle down an embankment from the freeway.
Preliminary investigation has revealed the following details: A male, approximately 40 years of age with an unknown city of residence, was driving a silver Jeep SUV on Interstate 80 W/B near Richmond Parkway. An unknown suspect vehicle drove alongside and fired several rounds into the Jeep. The driver of the Jeep allowed the vehicle to drift across the roadway and down a steep embankment to the right of the freeway. The Jeep overturned several times, and the driver was ejected from the vehicle.
Richmond Fire Department personnel arrived on scene and pronounced the victim deceased at approximately 1:43 AM. Identification of the victim will be the responsibility of the Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office.
CHP investigators are currently on scene and have all lanes of Interstate 80 W/B closed. Traffic is being diverted off the freeway at Appian Way. We estimate the freeway will be closed for at least another 2 hours, with an estimated time of opening at or after 10:30 AM.
This investigation is still in its early stages, however our investigators believe this was a targeted incident, and that the victim was specifically targeted by the suspect. There is no danger to the public at this time.
The CHP is seeking any witnesses that may have information pertinent to this incident. We are asking anyone who may have seen the incident to call our non-emergency dispatch line at 707-551-4100, or our Investigative Services Unit at 510-622-4609.
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