Juvenile Driver Slams Into Pedestrians in Oakland, Killing 3 and Injuring Several

Authorities have reported that three people were killed and several others were injured after a juvenile driver sped into a crowd of pedestrians in East Oakland late at night on May 16.

The crash happened at about 11:15 p.m. near International Boulevard and 85th Avenue. police said. The driver was speeding on 85th Avenue before turning onto International Boulevard, where the vehicle slammed into a parked car and then struck several pedestrians gathered outside a market and liquor store.

A surveillance video has captured the entire incident. The video footage shows the car racing down the roadway before crashing into people standing on the sidewalk. Officials said the driver tried to flee after the crash, but witnesses chased him down and held him until police arrived.

According to Oakland Police Department (OPD), three pedestrians died at the scene. Three other victims were taken to the hospital by paramedics.Some were reported to be in a stable condition, while others remain in a critical situation. The driver was also hospitalized with minor injuries.

"Right now, we're looking at four DOAs, two critical waiting on 26... 26 is getting on scene... and waiting on... we got two ambulances coming," Oakland Fire Department dispatchers were overheard saying.

Police have reportedly arrested the juvenile driver tied to the crash.

Witnesses said the car appeared to speed up after hitting the first vehicle.

"He hit this blue car right here, and I guess he hit the gas and went even faster and went down the whole sidewalk and just sideswiped all those people. And he took off running... I saw him hit this car. I seen him coming, but there was nothing I could do. He was going too fast," said one witness.

Michael Turner said he was across the street with friends when the crash happened. His nephew and several friends were among those who were hit.

"You heard tires screeching, then all of a sudden you heard a loud bang," Turner said. "When he hit the first car, it sounded like he stepped on the gas even harder. He hit the car, he stepped on the gas. You heard the engine roared, and he just took off right down the sidewalk."

A friend of one of the victims of the crash spoke while standing outside Highland Hospital. Shendrick Henry said, "We're praying for him. He's going through surgery. It's horrible. It's a nightmare. It's a nightmare for the community. These are people's loved ones.”

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee also spoke about the crash, calling it “tragic” and shared that the city was mourning the lives lost.

Councilmember Noel Gallo said Oakland, California, needs more officers on the streets. He added, “Monday through Sunday, daytime and nighttime.”

The cause of the crash is still unclear, and it is not clear if drugs or alcohol were factors.