2 Killed in Car Accident on Highway 4 in Brentwood, CA

Brentwood, CA — May 21, 2025, Two people were killed following a car accident that occurred at around 10:00 P.M. on Highway 4.

According to official reports, a head-on collision occurred on Highway 4 near Balfour Road and resulted in the drivers of both vehicles becoming entrapped. One of the cars involved was an electric vehicle, which caught fire after impact.

When first responders arrived on scene they found they attempted to extricate the trapped drivers, however due to the fire and toxic fumes the the electric vehicle’s battery, rescue efforts weren’t complete until the next morning. Both drivers were pronounced deceased at the scene, and officials have not released their identities. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After a crash like this, I think most people have plenty of questions. However, some questions tend to be overlooked by crash investigators. When a head-on collision involves a vehicle fire—especially one linked to an electric vehicle’s battery system—it introduces added layers of complexity. In my experience, understanding what really happened in such crashes requires careful attention to both traditional and emerging risks.

First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
In any head-on collision, a detailed reconstruction of the scene is essential. That includes mapping out lane positions, measuring skid marks or impact angles, and checking for signs of last-second evasive maneuvers. But when fire delays rescue and scene access, investigators must work even harder to piece together what happened. Questions like—did one vehicle drift across the center line, or did both contribute to the impact—can’t be answered without a full analysis. Any delay in examining vehicle positions or roadway evidence could lead to gaps in understanding how the crash began.

Next, has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
With electric vehicles, the risk of post-crash battery fires introduces an important angle that should not be overlooked. Was the battery pack damaged in a way that should have been preventable by the vehicle’s design? Did the structure of the EV hold up during impact, or did it contribute to the fire’s severity? The fire also raises concerns about whether the vehicle’s emergency shutoff systems worked as intended. Beyond the fire, investigators also need to examine whether mechanical or electronic systems in either vehicle—such as braking, steering, or collision avoidance—malfunctioned or failed to respond in time. A crash this severe could point to more than just driver error.

Finally, has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Both vehicles—especially the electric one—likely had electronic control modules that stored critical pre-crash data. This can include speed, throttle position, braking force, steering input, and seatbelt use. In some cases, EVs can also record battery status and any triggered fault codes prior to impact. This data is essential for determining whether the driver attempted to slow down, swerve, or whether the car experienced a power or control issue just before the crash. Securing that data quickly is important, especially after a fire, as heat can compromise the module’s integrity.

Crashes involving EVs bring new questions to the table, particularly when fires or extended rescue delays occur. The key to understanding and learning from these events lies in not just identifying who hit whom, but digging into how the crash evolved—from driver decisions to vehicle performance to emergency system behavior.

Key Takeaways:

• Scene reconstruction is critical in head-on collisions, especially when fire delays initial access.
• Vehicle defects, including battery safety and crash protection systems in EVs, must be thoroughly examined.
• Electronic control module data, including battery diagnostics, can help clarify pre-crash vehicle behavior.