Walnut Creek, CA (August 6, 2024) Sadness swept through the community of Walnut Creek on Thursday morning, August 1st. Residents awoke to news of 18-year-old Pittsburg resident, Saniya Banga’s death, following a car accident that also took out a utility pole. The accident occurred just after 1:00 a.m. on Ygnacio Valley Road, and left one other person with serious injuries, according to reports.
Initial reports indicated that Saniya Banga, 18, was driving on Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek in the darkness of early morning on Thursday, between North Broadway and Civic Drive. For reasons that remain unknown, Banga lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle swerved off the road, jumped a curb and slammed into a utility pole, knocking it to the ground. The pole landed in the middle of the roadway, officers reported, and Banga’s vehicle was completely wrecked.
Walnut Creek Police officers hurried to the scene and found the pole down in the middle of the roadway. The vehicle was near the pole, completely crushed, with its windows busted. Officers hurried to the vehicle to help anyone in need and found two people inside. The driver, identified as Banga, was found dead, officers said. Police Lt. Jeff Slater with the Walnut Creek Police Department said Banga had been thrown from the vehicle during the collision. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger in the vehicle was still alive, but had sustained serious injuries, according to reports. The passenger was trapped inside the vehicle and firefighters had to use hydraulic tools to cut the victim from the vehicle. They were rushed to a local hospital to receive treatment, officers said.
Works with PG&E arrived at the scene and found the pole broken and laying in the roadway. They worked as quickly as they could to replace the power pole and restore power to nearly 3,200 customers in the area.
Officers investigated the scene and are working to piece together what exactly happened on Ygnacia Valley Road in Walnut Creek in the middle of the night on August 1st. This tragic accident serves as a haunting reminder to always wear your seat belt when inside a moving vehicle.
Our hearts go out to the family of 18-year-old Saniya Banga, following this tragic collision in Walnut Creek. Accidents like this are difficult and our team of legal experts is ready to help.
Have you or a loved one been impacted by this event? Our team specializes in car accidents and we are here to help. You can reach us 24/7 at 866-883-4318 or visit our online contact form at Accident News Now.
