Even by South Berkeley standards, yesterday's traffic at Ashby Avenue and Adeline Street turned wild in a hurry when a white Honda slammed into a stopped car, then rolled into a parked AC Transit bus while its driver bolted on foot. A passenger was injured in the mess and later taken to the hospital, police said.
According to Berkeley police, the chain reaction started just after 6 p.m. when an unhoused person pushing a shopping cart made contact with a passing car. As a passenger in that vehicle opened the door, a white Honda crashed into the now-stopped car, hitting the passenger. The Honda's driver then jumped out and ran, leaving the car to keep rolling until it bumped into a parked AC Transit bus. Officers later determined the Honda had been stolen, and the driver has not been found. The driver of the first car initially rushed the injured passenger to a nearby hospital before the man was transferred to Highland Hospital, police told The Berkeley Scanner.
Highland Hospital Treated The Patient
The injured man was ultimately taken to Highland Hospital in Oakland, Alameda Health System's flagship campus and the designated adult Level 1 trauma center for the East Bay. That status means the facility is staffed around the clock with trauma surgeons and critical care teams equipped to handle serious collision injuries.
Bus Was Parked, No Injuries Reported On Board
Police said the AC Transit bus was parked at the time of the impact and that no injuries were reported among anyone on or associated with the bus. The odd, almost domino-like sequence on the street has generated some unusual witness stories that investigators are now trying to untangle. Officers are continuing to investigate the hit-and-run and have not yet identified the Honda's driver. The case remains active, according to The Berkeley Scanner.
How To Help
Berkeley police are asking anyone with video, photos or information about the crash to contact the department's non-emergency line. For non-urgent tips, call the Berkeley Police Department at (510) 981-5900. Media inquiries can be directed to the Berkeley Police public information officer through the city's listed contacts. Police say they expect to release more details as the investigation moves forward.
