Calls To Make Oakland Intersection Safer After Crash Caught On Camera
OAKLAND (KPIX 5) -- There are new calls to do something about one of the most dangerous intersections in the East Bay. Pedestrians have been hit several times at East 17th and Fruitvale in Oakland, with the latest crash happening Monday night.
Traffic is fast at the intersection, but at least during school hours, pedestrians at the intersection get a little help with a crossing guard.
"I've seen people almost got hit," said Samuel Rodriguez, a 7th grader.
But after the crossing guard went home Monday, around 6:30 p.m. a man was hit and seriously hurt by a car speeding through the intersection. The wreck was caught on surveillance video at the Los Hermanos market across the street.
In the video, the victim walks from his car to the crosswalk. He was struck as he attempts to cross.
Oakland City Councilman Noel Gallo said people crossing at this intersection are in constant danger.
"It has to stop," Gallo told KPIX 5. "As an elected official and as a neighbor, I live right around the block, this has to stop."
This is at least the second major pedestrian crash at this exact same intersection this year. In January, Guillermo Velazquez was hit by a speeding a car at East 17th and Fruitvale. Video shows the driver in that crash slowing down at first, before peeling out and leaving the scene.
"Maybe we should put the cross lights on. Like they did over there," Rodriguez said, pointing to an intersection a block away. The next intersection up has blinking yellow lights, which seems to slow traffic down at least a little.
The councilmember says more needs to be done. "If we have to create the red light, well that's what we've got to do," Gallo said. "I know the drivers are going to get upset over it because it slows traffic down, but I have to protect my children and families that are crossing the street.
According to Oakland police, the victim is expected to recover. The driver stopped and rendered aid to the victim, and likely won't be charged.
