A Danville man died in a car accident at La Gonda Way on Saturday as he drove his Lexus SUV eastbound on El Cerro Boulevard. People who witnessed the accident rescued his two little girls who were in the car, said Danville police Officer Randy Ritter.
Matthew Green, 33, drove his SUV straight on the corner that veered left, at approximately 12:45 p.m. His two daughters, ages 1 and 3, were strapped into car seats in the back of the car. One daughter was in a baby seat facing the rear; the other one faced forward.
When Green drove straight, instead of turning left, his car hit a pole, a water valve and a boulder. The vehicle became airborne at impact and barrel-rolled counterclockwise approximately 270 degrees.
The car landed on its passenger side at a business complex driveway, Ritter said.
Witnesses who heard and saw the accident removed the two children from the SUV. Men entered the car’s back rear window hatch door and unbuckled the two toddlers, police said, then handed them to a couple of women.
“It’s good to hear that people are getting involved,” Ritter said. “A lot of times witnesses leave.”
He said seven witnesses helped out at the scene, and an off-duty emergency medical technician provided assistance, too.
Fire department personnel performed CPR on Green. He was taken to a hospital in Walnut Creek and pronounced dead.
The car seats saved the children from being seriously injured in the crash, Ritter said.
“It’s a good testimonial for car seats, without a doubt,” Ritter said.
He said the police did not know why Green drove off course.
Jordan M. Doronila
