Richmond man identified as victim of fiery Hwy 4 solo crash

A Richmond man who died after an early morning solo crash Saturday on state Highway 4 in Hercules has been identified as 51-year-old Antoine Williams, Sr., according to the Contra Costa County coroner’s office. Williams was headed west on Highway 4 just east of Willow Avenue shortly after 2 a.m. when he veered off the roadway, struck a metal guardrail then crashed into a utility pole, according to the California Highway Patrol.

His silver Ford Taurus overturned in a grassy area near the roadway, causing a fire that was quickly extinguished by emergency crews. Williams suffered major injuries but was still conscious when rescuers extricated him from the driver’s seat, where he had become trapped. He was transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek by helicopter, but did not survive.

Investigators said this weekend it was not yet clear whether alcohol or drugs may have been factors in the crash.