9-year-old dies in Sunol collision, driver tells CHP he fell asleep

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A 9-year old girl from Martinez died in a crash Friday morning caused by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel, according to California Highway Patrol.

Originally, the CHP said the girl was 8.

Two other people she was with in a 2004 Toyota Corrola had to be taken to the hospital during the 12:40 a.m. collision along Interstate 680 in Sunol: Her 39-year-old father who was driving and a 32-year-old passenger. The CHP report stated the father had major injuries. 

The CHP said the 56-year-old driver of a black 2009 Dodge was traveling northbound on 680  south of Calaveras Road when traffic began to slow approaching a construction zone in the No. 1 lane.

The CHP said the driver, who is from Tracy, admitted to falling asleep at the wheel, causing his Dodge to slam into the rear of a white Toyota Corrolla, pushing it into another gray Ford driven by a 28-year-old from Manteca.

The three in the Toyota were taken to Eden Hospital in Castro Valley. It was there at the hospital that the girl was pronounced dead.

The CHP said the child was in a car seat in the back of the white Toyota. The CHP said alcohol and drugs were not factors.

There was no immediate word on whether the driver who fell asleep at the wheel will face any charges.