An unhoused man believed to be 46 has died after a driver hit him while he was lying in a traffic lane in East Oakland, according to police. Officers found him in a westbound lane on the 7100 block of San Leandro Street yesterday, then had him rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Authorities said his death remains under investigation.
As reported by The Mercury News, Oakland police said the driver stayed at the scene and spoke with traffic investigators. The victim’s name has not been released, and investigators are working to understand how he ended up in the roadway. Police are calling for anyone with information or video footage to come forward.
Investigation Underway
The Oakland Police Department’s Traffic Investigations Unit is leading the case. Fatal collision reports and evidence requests run through its Eastmont Substation, and, per the City of Oakland, the unit can be reached at (510) 777-8570. The department asks that anyone with tips, dashcam video, or security footage contact investigators directly. Fatal collision reports are restricted and usually require an in-person request to the Records Division, so this is not a click-and-download situation.
Street Safety Context
The crash comes as Oakland is trying to drive down deadly collisions on its High Injury Network, a relatively small slice of streets where a disproportionate share of severe crashes happen. Local reporting notes the city plans to roll out speed safety cameras along with other engineering changes aimed at slowing vehicles and better protecting people walking, biking and living on or near the street. Those moves fall under the broader Safe Oakland Streets program. Advocates say these upgrades are especially critical for residents experiencing homelessness, who face higher everyday exposure to traffic danger.
What Witnesses Can Do
Authorities said the driver cooperated with investigators and that the case is still active. As The Mercury News reported, police are urging anyone who saw the crash or has relevant video to call the Traffic Investigations Unit at (510) 777-8570 or share footage with the department. City traffic officials say engineering fixes, targeted enforcement, and community reporting together are the best tools available to prevent more deadly incidents on high-injury corridors.
