Harley Rider Dies In Crash With BMW On Hwy 4 In Pittsburg: CHP

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — All four lanes of westbound state Highway 4 in Pittsburg were reopened just after 4 p.m. Tuesday following a fatal collision involving a BMW sedan and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The crash was reported at 2:18 p.m. on westbound Highway 4 between Somersville and Loveridge roads, and prompted the closure of all four westbound lanes, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Just west of Somersville Road, the BMW and Harley collided — the impact of which ejected the Harley rider, a 61-year-old Antioch man, onto the roadway, according to CHP Contra Costa Area Spokesman Brandon Correia.

"Life-saving procedures were attempted by emergency personnel on scene but ultimately unsuccessful and tragically the rider was pronounced deceased at the scene," Correia said. "The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroners Office will be handling the release of his identity."

A Sig-alert was issued at 2:42 p.m. because of the collision; At about 4 p.m., all lanes were reopened and the Sig-alert was canceled.

The cause of the crash was unclear Tuesday afternoon and was still under active investigation; "with evidence to be examined, vehicles to be examined and witnesses to be interviewed," Correia said.

The male driver of the BMW was not injured in the collision and remained on scene for the investigation, Correia said.

There were no passengers in the BMW.

It was not immediately known whether alcohol and/or drugs were contributing factors, as the collision remained investigation, according to the CHP.

CHP is asking anyone who witnessed the crash or any of the events leading up to it, to contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at 925-646-4980, as any additional information may be helpful in the investigation.