Two dead in Oakland Car Accident and shooting

Two people were killed, and two others were injured in an Oakland traffic accident on Interstate 580 on Wednesday, May 18. But officers were surprised at what they found when they arrived at the scene.

According to police sources, this fatal occurrence was the result of a shooting in the Lake Merritt area.

Following the shooting, it appears the driver of the vehicle attempted to transport his injured passengers to the hospital when he ended up crashing and flipping his car on the I-580. When emergency services arrived on the scene around 8:20 pm, three of the four people had gunshot wounds, and all four were taken to the hospital to treat their injuries.

Two of the four died at the hospital.

The prior gunshots were reported by a pedestrian who’d just heard about the car accident near I-580 and Seminary Ave.

This incident highlights the citizenry’s concern and lack of security regarding street and highway safety. “People drive these freeways in fear, myself included,” Oakland resident Doug Harris said. Harris’ friend was killed on the same road last February.

This is one of several gun-related incidents on Bay Area freeways that have ended in fatalities. An analysis by NBC Bay Area of CHP data shows shooting crimes have doubled in the area between 2019 and 2021. Many of these accidents result in victims who are minors, such as Shamara Young, a 15-year-old girl who was fatally shot while riding in a car in Oakland.

Alameda County Sheriff Gregory Ahern stated that he doesn’t know exactly who is behind the shootings, but has opened an investigation. His office has identified more than 80 gangs that may be linked to several recent shooting incidents. These incidents put Bay Area drivers even more at risk on already volatile streets.

The installation of more security cameras is one of the proposed strategies to reduce the spate of shootings and dangerous driving conditions on highways. Alicia Benton spoke of her daughter’s shooting death on Oakland’s highways and the lack of camera footage. “Had she had it, we would have at least known who did it and someone would have been brought to justice.”

Governor Gavin Newson recently announced that new state funding has been approved for the installation of 50 new cameras on Bay Area freeways. These are scheduled to be placed this summer.

If you or someone you know has gotten into a dangerous accident in Oakland, San Francisco, or the Bay Area, call Adamson Ahdoot LLP, today for a free consultation. Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined legal experience and can help you manage any legal situation.