Full Notification

WCPD Case Number: 18-34702

Date / Time Occurred: Thursday, 10/25/18, 6:32 PM

Location: S Broadway extension from Highway 680

Crime Description / Code: Fatal Traffic Collision

Suspect: Jessica A. Martin, Date of Birth 8/5/83; resident of Tennessee (see photo)

Press Release Prepared By: Lieutenant Tom Cashion ______________________________________________________

At 6:32 PM on Thursday, October 25th, Walnut Creek PD dispatch received multiple 911 calls regarding a rollover collision on S. Broadway involving multiple vehicles and a possible fatality. Officers arrived on scene to find four vehicles involved, one confirmed fatality, and multiple people injured.

Firefighters from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District had to extricate the driver of the first vehicle struck. He sustained major injuries and was transported by ambulance to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. The driver of the second vehicle struck was pronounced deceased at the scene and a young child located in this vehicle was transported to the hospital with major injuries. The driver of the third vehicle suffered minor injuries and was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Jessica Martin, 35 years old, was driving the vehicle that collided with the three vehicles mentioned above. Martin was travelling southbound on S. Broadway when she collided into the three vehicles that were travelling northbound on S. Broadway. Martin suffered moderate injuries and was transported to John Muir Medical Center by ambulance. Officers suspected Martin was driving under the influence of alcohol. Martin was arrested at the hospital for felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter. Martin’s passenger suffered minor injuries and was also transported to the hospital by ambulance for treatment.

Investigators are trying to determine where Martin was coming from prior to the collision and is seeking assistance from the public. If anyone has information regarding this collision, please contact Detective Sergeant Bruce Jower at (925) 943-5899 ext. 3582 or [email protected]



**************************************UPDATE**************************************


On October 30, 2018, the Walnut Creek Police Department was notified that the 8 month old child who was injured in this collision passed away from her injuries at Children’s Hospital in Oakland.

This afternoon, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and charged Martin with two counts of Murder and one count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing great bodily injury and one count of driving with a .08% blood alcohol content causing injury.

Martin remains in custody and her bail is set at $2.1 million.

Please direct all press inquiries to Lieutenant Tom Cashion at 925-943-5899 ext. 5880. The Walnut Creek Police Department also requests the public be respectful of the family’s privacy during their time of grief.