A big rig driver died Monday morning after the rig crashed into a Mexican restaurant in a Pittsburg strip mall, causing an explosion and a two-alarm fire, according to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.
Firefighters, PG&E, and investigators rushed to the scene of Los Patrones Mexican Food on Railroad Avenue, which was first reported about 8:30 a.m. The building was unoccupied at the time of the crash. The fire was reported under control shortly after 9:30 a.m.
According to Pittsburg police Captain Ron Raman, the rig collided with two cars before slamming into the building. A wrecked black pick-up truck was spotted a few feet away from the restaurant. Police are looking into the possibility that a mechanical failure in the big rig caused the crash.
Marvin Tompkins' white Pathfinder was sideswiped in the crash. He witnessed some of the fiery collision from his car right after he dropped his kids off at school.
"It was scary," Tompkins said. "Explosion, fire, smoke, everywhere. I could feel the explosion. I was so close."
"I just feel sad for the driver," Tompkins added.
Aerial footage over the scene showed the rig, designed to carry dirt and gravel, had completely veered off the road into the bowels of the restaurant. Emergency crews surrounded the building.
Bay City News, Art Ray, and NBC Bay Area's Shawn Murphy contributed to this report.
