One dead in Highway 4 collision, one of two big wrecks on East Bay freeways

A motorcyclist died Tuesday night in a two-car crash on an East Bay highway, the California Highway Patrol said.

The crash happened on state Highway 4 in the eastbound direction east of the McEwen Road exit around 9:40 p.m. Authorities on Wednesday identified the driver as 41-year-old Alejandro Valdez, of San Pablo.

The wreck was the 16th fatal crash on Highway 4 this year and one of two on Tuesday that caused long traffic backups. The other occurred on Interstate 80 around 9 p.m.

According to the CHP, Valdez was on a Harley-Davidson when it collided with a Nissan Altima. The crash threw the rider from the motorcycle, and Valdez was pronounced dead at the scene, the CHP said.

The CHP closed more than one eastbound lane for about a half hour.

Shortly before 9 p.m., CHP officers responded to reports of a car fire and collision in eastbound I-80 lanes on the Carquinez Bridge just east of the Pomona Street exit.

Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department firefighters also responded to the incident, saying in a social-media post that two vehicles’ fires were controlled and that multiple ambulances were on scene.

The CHP issued a Sig-alert on I-80 at 9 p.m, and briefly diverted eastbound traffic west at Cummings Skyway. The roadway’s two left-hand lanes reopened by 9:55 p.m., with all lanes open by 10:50 p.m.

Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.