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The Livermore Police Department recently released an update on the investigation into the two-vehicle crash that killed local winery owner Mitchell Katz this summer, alleging the other motorist was driving unsafely that afternoon and saying the case report would be forwarded to county prosecutors for review of potential charges when it is finished later this month.
In his public statement late last month, Sgt. Justin Lash reported investigators have found that the other driver, a 27-year-old man from Westley in Stanislaus County, lost control of his car while speeding erratically and struck Katz’s SUV along East Avenue on July 21. LPD has determined that alcohol intoxication was not a factor.
The sergeant also confirmed that Katz, 59, was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision — a fact the department indirectly revealed days earlier in a public safety advisory on social media about the importance of buckling up in the car, noting that all three fatal crashes in the city’s jurisdiction this year involved victims who were not using their seat belt.
Katz, a well-regarded local vintner who operated the namesake Mitchell Katz Winery on South Vasco Road in Livermore, was driving his white GMC SUV on East Avenue near Mitra Street when it was struck by a black Subaru around 3:20 p.m. July 21, according to police. Katz was critically injured and later died at an area hospital.
The Subaru driver was speeding and passing other vehicles unsafely just before the crash occurred, according to police. He experienced chest pain after the wreck and was treated and released from the hospital.
“We are not releasing the name of the driver of the Subaru at this time since he has not been placed under arrest,” Lash said. “The case will be sent over to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office for review.”
The department hopes to have the investigation report completed and submitted to prosecutors by the end of this month.
