Teen dies after falling off highway overpass while watching sideshow, CHP says
By Suzanne Phan
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CROCKETT, California (KGO) — A teenager watching a sideshow in the East Bay died after falling off an overpass early Saturday morning, California Highway Patrol said.
CHP said the 16-year-old tried to jump across a gap between freeway ramps near I-80 and the Carquinez Bridge in Crockett.
Drone video captured the commotion — spinning cars, smoke from tailpipes, crazy crowds. From the ground, cellphone video captured the chaotic scene, the burning, the screeching and the fireworks.
“I was standing up here, in my window, watching the thing for an hour,” said Crockett resident Jim Delisle.
Delisle said it happened again: another sideshow in his quiet neighborhood.
“It woke me up about 3 o’clock in the morning, (maybe) 3:30 in the morning,” he said.
Early Saturday morning, more than 100 vehicles blocked the roads near the intersection of Pomona and Merchant Streets for a sideshow, according to the CHP.
“There were fireworks. It’s really common when they get cars going in circles, and everyone gets fired up, and you can see people shooting those up in the air,” Delisle said.
Authorities got word that a 16-year-old spectator climbed over a concrete safety barrier at an elevated portion of the Pomona Street on-ramp to westbound I-80. CHP said the teen fell about 75 feet to the ground below.
“Yeah, I think he was trying to jump from one side of the on-ramp to the other,” Delisle said.
Scott Cranston saw and heard some of the commotion from his deck.
“The police cars were there. I didn’t know what exactly had happened,” he said.
When he learned about the teen’s death…
“I was shocked,” Cranston said. “But the sideshow is just a matter of there would be a fatality. They’re hanging out of cars, they are recklessly driving.”
Giovanni Morales was out walking the area on Sunday afternoon.
“This is my walking path right here,” he said.
We showed him video of the investigation scene where the teen had fallen.
“That’s crazy,” Morales said. “I think it’s horrible. I think the younger generation needs to be more responsible–be aware of their surroundings and watch what they do.”
Authorities have not formally identified the teen killed.
As the investigation continues, those who live in the area say they’re beyond frustrated by the sideshows and reckless activities.
Law enforcement is reminding the public that sideshows are not only illegal, but dangerous, and that spectators as well as participants can be penalized.
CHP is asking for witnesses to come forward as it investigates. If anyone witnessed the incident or the events leading up to it, they are asked to contact CHP’s Contra Costa Area office in Martinez at (925) 646-4980 or email your contact information to 320Investigations@chp.ca.gov to be contacted by the investigating officer.
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