A tragic collision on the eastbound State Route 24 to northbound Interstate 680 transition ramp in Walnut Creek claimed the life of a young driver on Wednesday morning. Henry K. Lee of KTVU has identified the victim as 22-year-old Shawn Gutierez of Pittsburg, who was operating a white Dodge Challenger when struck by a drunk driver traveling the wrong way.
UPDATE: Shawn Gutierez, 22, of Pittsburg ID’d as driver of Dodge Challenger killed in head-on crash on connector from Hwy 24 to I-680 in Walnut Creek. He was hit by drunk driver of Toyota RAV4 going wrong way on I-680 from Solano into Contra Costa County, per @CHP_ContraCostapic.twitter.com/nDnNjOuFCu
— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) May 2, 2025
On Wednesday, the California Highway Patrol Contra Costa Area office received a report of the wrong-way driver at approximately 12:18 AM. The offending vehicle, a dark-colored Toyota RAV4, was first spotted heading southbound in the northbound lanes of I-680, south of Lake Herman Road, in Solano County, with multiple subsequent reports tracing its erratic journey into Contra Costa County. Despite efforts to intercept, the inevitable occurred, resulting in a head-on crash that inflicted catastrophic damage upon both vehicles involved, according to a statement by the CHP Contra Costa.
The collision not only ended the life of Gutierez but also left the wrong-way driver with major injuries. After receiving treatment at a local hospital, the driver, whose name has not yet been disclosed, was arrested under suspicion of DUI and will face charges including vehicular manslaughter. As investigations continue, authorities appeal to anyone who might have witnessed the incident to provide information…