All westbound Highway 24 lanes in Orinda reopen hours after fatal crash

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A police pursuit Saturday morning ended in a fiery, fatal collision that shut down all westbound Highway 24 lanes in Orinda for nearly six hours, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash and lane closures were the result of a Contra Costa Sheriff's pursuit that ended with a fatal collision shortly after 9:00 a.m. near the Camino Pablo off-ramp, officials said. An Orinda police officer attempted to pull a car over near St Stephens Drive and Tahos Road around 9:00 a.m., but the car sped off. 

The officer pursued but lost sight of the car after the driver got onto westbound Highway 24. And then then the officer found the overturned car engulfed in flames near the BART station.

There was two people in the vehicle. Police provided first aid and they were transported to a hospital, where one was pronounced dead, according to officials. 

A Sig Alert was issued at 9:20 a.m. and all lanes remained closed for over five hours until they reopened at 3:15 p.m.

The district attorney's office, the sheriff's office and the California Highway Patrol are investigating the incident. The officer-involved fatal incident protocol has been invoked, sheriff's officials said.

Anyone with any information about the pursuit is asked to contact the sheriff's office at (925) 313-2600. Tips can be emailed to tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 anonymously.