Car veers into tree, kills three men in Highway 24 solo crash

Three men were killed early Saturday after a car veered off westbound state Highway 24 and crashed into a tree near Orinda, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The solo crash happened shortly after 3 a.m. when a red 2009 Nissan Versa went off the highway just east of Camino Pablo, the CHP said.

Authorities were not able to identify the driver, but said that the car’s two passengers were a 31-year-old man from Oakland and a 22-year-old man from Hayward. Their names were not released.

Investigators haven’t determined how fast the Nissan was going when it veered to the right and went completely off the highway, hitting a tree head on, the CHP said.

All three victims were still in the car when the CHP and emergency crews arrived. They were all pronounced dead at the scene.

It’s not yet known if alcohol or drugs factored in the crash.

The CHP issued a Sig-alert after the crash, closing two lanes along the highway. All lanes reopened about 6:30 a.m.

Anyone who witnessed the crash, or events leading up to it, is asked to anyone to call the CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980.