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An 18-year-old recent Monte Vista grad died in a car accident after speeding on Livorna Road in Alamo in the wee hours of Saturday morning, said the California Highway Patrol.

Christopher Harvey, 18, of Walnut Creek, was driving a 1999 BMW west on Livorna Road at 2:45 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 8, when the accident occurred, said Patrolman Scott Yox. A 19-year-old - also from Walnut Creek - was sitting in the passenger seat.

Harvey exceeded the speed limit and drove straight on a left hand curb, causing him to veer off the road and hit a raised dirt embankment. His car turned multiple times and landed on its roof, according to police reports.

When police arrived at the scene, they pronounced Harvey dead due to a blunt force injury, Yox said. The 19-year-old suffered a concussion, bruising and other cuts. He was taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.

They were both removed from the car by Contra Costa County firefighters, according to reports. No one else was hurt, Yox said.

"It goes to show you that speed limits are posted for a reason," Yox said. "Speed is the No. 1 killer (on the road)."

"It's certainly got to be tough for the families right around the holidays," he added.

Harvey had just arrived home for the holidays from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he had completed his first quarter of study the day before.

He is survived by his mother, Sharon Harvey, and father Christopher Harvey, both of Walnut Creek, his brother, Ryan Harvey of San Diego, his sister, Sarah Harvey - a student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and sister, Liz Harvey - a student at Cal State, Chico.

— Jordan M. Doronila

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