Police investigating Bay Area crash caused by ‘criminal act’ that killed one

One woman was killed following a multiple-vehicle collision last week that investigators are saying was a result of a criminal act.

Vallejo Police Department Public Information Officer Sgt. Rashad Hollis said the female – whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin – was taken off of life support July 19 after being transported to the hospital for treatment following the July 16 collision.

However, the name of the female was identified as 48-year-old Sharmell Mitchell by the Vallejo Sun in a story published earlier this week.

Mitchell is the older sister of Willie McCoy, who was shot and killed by Vallejo Police in 2019 in a then-Taco Bell drive thru in Vallejo. Earlier this year McCoy’s family reached a settlement with the City of Vallejo for $5 million.

At approximately 12:36 p.m. on the day of the incident involving Mitchell, Hollis said officers responded to a vehicle collision near the intersection of Tennessee Street and Vervais Avenue that was coupled with reports of gunshots heard in the area.

Upon arrival, officers observed a three-vehicle collision at the intersection involving a Mercedes-Benz ML350, an Isuzu Trooper and a Kia Soul.

“Officers also observed an adult female lying in the street, suffering from injuries consistent with being involved in the collision,” said Hollis.

According to Hollis, the motive and circumstances surrounding this incident remain under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Wesley Pittman at (707) 334-1274 or Wesley.Pittman@cityofvallejo.net, or Detective Jarrett Tonn at (707) 648-5427 or Jarrett.Tonn@cityofvallejo.net.