Berkeley Driver: "I Believe I Had a Seizure"

Shahram Farshchi said he was on his way to  on Sunday morning when he somehow lost consciousness and struck numerous vehicles in Berkeley and Albany, sending several people to the hospital.

"I just kind of opened my eyes as it was happening," he said. "I believe I had a seizure, or something similar to a seizure, because I don't remember anything."

Farshchi, a 56-year-old biochemist who has lived in Berkeley for six years, said he had just bought coffee at Peet's on Solano Avenue, and was headed to Safeway to buy some groceries.

Police said he hit several parked and moving vehicles in Berkeley and Albany. Witnesses said he seemed to accelerate as his black BMW barreled down the street.

He ultimately hit a Honda and Toyota in Albany, sending a man and woman to the hospital. Police did not release information on their injuries except to say both were alert and talking after the collisions.

Farshchi said he had no memory of how he came to hit the vehicles, but that he believed there must be a medical explanation for what happened to him.

"I'm not a person who just hits another car and runs away," he said, adding that he has insurance and would never intentionally run from a collision.

Farshchi said it's not the first time he's blacked out. 

"It happened here two years ago in front of my house," he said. "I went to the doctor, but they couldn't find anything wrong with me."

He said he's planning to return to the doctor Monday and that, in the meantime, he may avoid the driver's seat.

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.