SUV struck in shooting on Hwy 24 in Orinda, CHP says
The CHP says motorists should be cautious and considerate
ORINDA, Calif. (KGO) -- Westbound lanes of Highway 24 reopened on Wednesday as authorities investigate a shooting involving a SUV in Orinda.
The incident happened around 10:45 a.m. near the Fish Ranch Road exit. The CHP shut down lanes at 11:15 a.m causing a standstill.
A 66-year-old man was behind the wheel of the SUV that was struck by bullets and managed to escape any serious injury.
His car had a shattered back windshield, SKY7 video showed.
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SKY7 saw one man forced to walk off the freeway, carrying a young child, then hopping a waiting car on surface streets.
Another woman was seen walking off the freeway hauling a suitcase.
And drivers were seen driving the wrong way on freeway onramps to escape the gridlock.
Lanes reopened around 11:45 a.m.
CHP officers are investigating if this was a targeted shooting, and it's unknown if this was gang related, according to CHP Contra Costa County Officer Daniel Gilmore.
ABC7 News stopped by the driver's home, but wasn't available to talk. Fortunately, his wife said he's ok.
People who live and work in Orinda got word of the shooting on Highway 24. Many of them were stunned by the news.
"It's so hard to believe," said Lou Reginado.
Reginado went onto say, "Whenever I drive, I always yield. I never challenge anyone. I just play it very safe."
The CHP agrees that motorists should be cautious and considerate.
"Be the driver you want to drive next to," said CHP officer Gilmore. "The only thing you can do is do your part to not try and instigate."
This comes after another freeway shooting on Southbound 880 near downtown Oakland on Tuesday.
The CHP confirmed to ABC7 News, a suspect fired off one round on a victim, who was driving on the freeway and then fled. The victim was not injured and was able to safely exit the freeway. This suspect was later arrested Wednesday, according to the CHP.
And Wednesday's shooting follows another one on Highway 24 in Oakland last week, making it the second shooting on Highway 24 in two weeks.
Last Tuesday, someone fired several shots on Highway 24 in Oakland striking a driver in the legs.
"Two times in two weeks. That's ridiculous," said Giobanny Leyva, a Hayward resident who stopped in Orinda to get gas.
Investigators are now looking into both shootings. No one has been arrested.
