Albany police are completing their investigation into what caused a Berkeley driver to on Solano Avenue on Sunday, officials said.
The report could be completed Wednesday, said Lt. Dan Adams of the , when the officers who worked on the case Sunday return to work for the first time.
The report ultimately could result in a police recommendation that the district attorney's office file criminal charges against the driver who caused the wrecks.
Officials said Shahram Farshchi, 56, of Berkeley struck parked and moving vehicles on the Berkeley side of Solano, then drove into Albany and struck four more, sending three people to the hospital.
Farshchi said he , which is supported by some witness accounts, police said. But other witnesses said their observations during and after the crashes have led them to .
Adams said he could not comment on whether Farshchi has prior moving violations. He said Farshchi's driving history "is part of our investigation," and that he could not release any additional information about it Tuesday.
One injured driver who went to the hospital on her own was home Sunday night. Conditions of two other drivers who were taken by ambulance to the hospital have not been available this week, though police said the victims were alert and talking after the collisions.
On Monday and Tuesday, said Adams, Albany detectives assisted with interviews and followed up on leads. But the collision report will be completed, possibly today, by officers who were on patrol Sunday.
Berkeley police arrested Farshchi on Sunday when he failed to stop after striking a vehicle with his black BMW near Colusa Avenue; he was cited and released that day in connection with the non-injury hit-and-run.
Adams said there are several reasons why Albany's investigation has taken longer than Berkeley's.
"They had a completed crime in Berkeley, because this person left the scene of a collision," Adams said Tuesday. "He did not leave the scene in Albany. He participated in the investigation and provided information as required. He wasn't subject to arrest for fleeing the scene, because he didn't leave."
Albany's police department, a fraction of the size of Berkeley's, was consumed Sunday by the investigation, which has continued into this week.
"There were multiple vehicles involved and multiple injured parties. That was a complete drain on our patrol and rescue resources," he said. "We were completely taxed by the response."
Everybody makes mistakes ... ! If there's something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, give editor Emilie Raguso a call at 510-459-8325 or shoot her an e-mail at emilier@patch.com.
