A man who died in a crash off of state Highway 4 in Martinez on Wednesday night has been identified by the Contra Costa County coroner’s office as 53-year-old Joel Tice Jr.
The crash happened around 8:10 p.m. Wednesday when Tice drove a Lexus off the south side of eastbound Highway 4 just west of Alhambra Avenue and it overturned, ejecting him, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Tice was taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek and died there later Wednesday night.
The fatal crash was the second on the same stretch of Highway 4 in Martinez on Wednesday. Around 4 p.m., 33-year-old San Francisco resident John Thomas went off of westbound Highway 4 just east of the Alhambra Avenue off-ramp and crashed his Lexus into a tree, according to the CHP.
The CHP is investigating both crashes. Anyone with information about either of them is asked to contact the Contra Costa-area CHP office at (925) 646-4980.
You want information, pull the PCM and send it in for data.
My bets are on: Speed.
Rest In Peace gentlemen. Do we need more light on that stretch? Is the road smooth and safe? Do we have proper barricades and lane markings? I would like to know.
@ Anon
They are call accidents, and not on purposes.
There has been no determinization of the primary collision factor for the cause of the collisions so save your righteous indignation until the CHP has a cause.
Secondly neither in fact killed anyone but themselves so your hypothetical they could have killed someone is just that, a hypothetical worse case scenario that did not happen and will never happen.
People make mistakes but I guess in your mind there is no forgiveness even unto death.
I’m not sure what “these types” is in reference to. The car brand? I don’t get what you’re implying.
I mention the lane markings, lighting and road surfaces because the quality of these is in question on all of our roads. I think it should be a priority to evaluate this over the bike highway being discussed.
‘Those people’ racing their fast cars along that stretch between Richmond and Antioch. I actually see them all the time. This time -by coincidence -they crashed on the same day and same approximate location. Yes, it’s a good thing they didn’t take anyone else with them.
Lexus are well-engineered and extremely safe vehicles. However, nothing can prevent people from being distracted with their phones or a lead foot.
Maybe California should ban Lexus
Most aggressive drivers by brand:
1. BMW
2. Lexus
3. Infinity
Pay attention, you’ll see for yourself.
4. MB
That road is a horror right now. Parts of it can not be plowed through at the same speeds you’ve always used before. I don’t think any of the construction mess extends west of Alhambra though, but I could be mistaken. That isery sad.
If it is not a misprint quite a coincidence 2 fatal crashes on the same day both involving a Lexus. I use to drive a BMW 528e, very solid car. Although it is tempting to drive fast because you don’t actually feel like you are going too fast. I always tried to be careful, didn’t want the expensive speeding tickets, but sometimes on a fairly empty highway I would step on it, not for long though, always worried about getting caught.
I had a 528e also. It was a very nice car. Great mpg, very solid and stable at high speeds. Back when a BMW was a BMW.
The worst are the Nissan Altimas with paper plates or expired tabs speeding on 4. Usually exit in Antioch or Pitt.
It’s always Altimas. I’ve certainly noticed that. Funny. Not really.
@ Bill,
Savage observation, 100% true…we have family in Antioch and Brentwood so drive there all the time and I’ve remarked the EXACT same thing about Altimas, close second are Dodge Chargers.
Peculiar similarities:
– Men
– Initials of JT
– Highway 4
– Alhambra Ave. Exit (1 in each direction)
– Wednesday
– Lexus
.
Lexus cars should be banned.
.
Simply too dangerous.
.
……. That’s progressive logic at work.
The progressive thinkers will take it further: Lexus cars, then Lexus drivers would be banned too.
Having lived in MTZ since the 70s for nearly 35 years, I can attest to that section of HWY 4 being prone to accidents.
For what ever reason…
I like to think its the ghost of old JOhn Muir giving them a nudge…
God Bless these men and the family and friends they left behind. So sad.
Every vehicle has one major flaw that causes accidents….
It’s the nut behind the wheel.
Nobody intends to crash and die.
It all happened so fast…….
Follow the protocols and you will greatly increase your odds.
RIP to all and peace be with you!
As someone who has handed out hundreds of tickets, I’d take the licenses away from most of you.
108RS