Two Clayton men die in Marsh Creek accidents
The winding Marsh Creek Road east of Clayton proved doubly tragic last week as separate accidents claimed the lives of two local 21-year-old men.
Early in the morning on Sunday, Aug. 30, Clayton resident Marcus Muskat was killed when his motorcycle veered off the road and crashed into a street sign just west of Morgan Territory Road.
The following Thursday morning around 3:10 a.m., Clayton Valley Charter High School graduate and Clayton resident Jeremiah Corey died when the Mercury Mountaineer he was driving east on Marsh Creek Road, just east of Morgan Territory Road, drifted into the westbound lane and off the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
While the California Highway Patrol has determined that speed was a factor in Muskat’s crash, it was too early at press time to determine the cause of Corey’s crash, or if alcohol or drugs played a role in either of the accidents, said CHP Lt. Steve Perea.
Still, most local drivers know that the two-lane roadway — used as a link between Central and East County — can be dangerous, especially at night as more wildlife roam.
“Marsh Creek Road was never intended to become a commute corridor, though we all know that over time it has become just that,” says Clayton City Council member Julie Pierce, President of the Association of Bay Area Governments and a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. “The completion of Highway 4 East through Brentwood should help to alleviate much of that traffic as the freeway will be a quicker route to destinations in the 680 corridor and beyond. That said, it is likely that Marsh Creek Road will always be a ‘shortcut’ for many. The road is designated as a two-lane scenic corridor and due to environmental constraints is highly unlikely to ever be widened beyond that.”
She says that while no major safety improvements are currently planned by the county, there may be a future funding opportunities for minor improvements such as left turn pockets. “As with any other road, people need to slow down and pay attention while driving that route,” she said.
Perea echoes that sentiment. “Drivers have to be cautious on that road,” he said. While there are some straight sight-lines, there are also blind curves, and it is important to pay attention, he said. Any distraction could cause a driver to veer off the road, or into oncoming traffic.
“Speed does kill,” he says. “Especially on two-lane highways.”
‘Ready to help anyone’
Corey, who lived all his life in Clayton and attended Mt. Diablo Elementary, Diablo View Middle School and CVCHS, is remembered by his mother Nancy Randolph as “a great kid.”
“Jeremiah was loved by a lot of people,” she said. “He was always ready to help a anyone. Whenever any of his friends were going through a rough patch, Jeremiah would always try and help them through it.”
He recently got engaged to girlfriend Keirstan Faulkner of Martinez, who had just left last week for Illinois to attend basic training in the Navy. The two were to be married in December.
Services for Corey were held Thursday at St. Bonaventure’s Catholic Church, and he is buried at Oakmont Cemetery next to his brother Justin, who died in 1996 after being hit by a car when he was 12.
Besides Randolph, Corey is survived by his sister, Janelle McKinney of Martinez, and two nephews, Rocky, 10, and Waylon, 1.
‘Always laughing’
News of Muskat’s death shook not only the community of Clayton, where he was a popular employee at Moresi’s Chophouse, but also in the Walnut Creek community where he grew up and graduated from Northgate High School. He was attending Diablo Valley College, and besides Moresi’s, he worked as a trainer at Fitness 19 on Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek.
“Marcus was always happy, always willing to help out members, and always laughing,” says Fitness 19 manager Jerry Sameshima. “The staff is taking [his death] really hard. We’ve set up a memorial at the front desk, and we are collecting donations to give to the family.”
Other friends also remembered Muskat’s infectious laugh and happy spirit. “Marcus always made me smile when he was over,” says Valerie Hansen of Walnut Creek, whose son Ged was one of Muskat’s good friends. “There is an idiom that is usually used to describe an economy that is doing well — ‘a rising tide lifts all boats.’ But it reminds me of Marcus because Marcus was a high tide that lifted you up and made you happy you got to see him that day. That Marcus flair was infectious.”
Many friends expressed their sadness and appreciation of Muskat’s life. “There aren’t enough words to describe Marcus Muskat as a human being, a friend, a brother, and everything else he was to so many people,” said his friend Zachary Kowalski. “He is the definition of unique.”
Moresi’s held a candlelight vigil at the Grove Park on Aug. 31 to honor Muskat, and two memorial services were held this week. He leaves behind his father Mike, mother Michelle Celsi and two younger brothers, Mitchell and Max.