By Jim Emerson
LAFAYETTE — Driving Under the Influence and crashing into a police car have legal consequences.
Kevin Bell, 67, of Walnut Creek, allegedly committed such offenses in Lafayette, according to the
Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.
A police car was stopped in traffic near the Lafayette BART Station when a driver suddenly rear-ended
it.
The crash happened during the lull before rush hour on August 22 at 2:18 p.m. First responders
were dispatched to 3600 block of Mount Diablo Boulevard.
Two Lafayette officers and Bell sustained minor injuries. All three were transported to a nearby
hospital to receive medical treatment.
Next there was a fire. While the crash was being investigated, a small fire ignited inside the trunk of
the police car, which was quickly extinguished.
The force of the impact caused major damage to the front of Bell’s vehicle and the back of the
Lafayette patrol car.
“It caused the patrol car to collide with another vehicle in front of it, which caused
additional minor damage,” said a prepared statement from the sheriff’s office.
Both police officers were subsequently released from the hospital. Meanwhile, Bell found himself
placed under arrest when he was released from the hospital.
He was transported and booked at the Martinez Detention Facility. Bond was set at $200,000 for his release from custody.
Bell faces two felony charges. One charge is for DUI causing injury, and a second charge for driving
with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher.
