CONCORD — Two people died early Sunday following a head-on crash on a rural bypass road, the California Highway Patrol said.

The wreck at about 3 a.m. on southbound Kirker Pass Road just north of Hess Road killed both drivers, according to a statement from the CHP. One of them was driving a Honda Civic northbound toward Pittsburg in the southbound lanes when he ran into a Toyota 4Runner that was going in the correct direction.

Authorities identified the two as 34-year-old Edgar Blas-Avalos , of Concord, and 40-year-old Eva Rodas,of Oakley. They did not say who was driving which car.

The Honda’s driver was ejected, and both drivers died at the crash site.

The CHP said it was awaiting toxicology tests but that they believe driving under the influence is a reason for the crash. They are awaiting toxicology tests, which generally take a couple of months.

The CHP closed both directions of Kirker Pass Road for about 4½ hours following the crash.

Investigators are still probing what happened, and the CHP is looking for witnesses who may have seen or heard something in the moments leading up to it. If anyone has information, they can contact the CHP’s Contra Costa division at 320investigations@chp.ca.gov or call 925-646-4980.

Originally Published: March 10, 2025 at 8:12 AM PDT