OAKLAND — Three people died and five people were injured — including the suspected 17-year-old male driver — when a speeding pickup truck crashed into a crowd of people in East Oakland late Saturday, authorities said.
The crash happened about 11:15 p.m. near the intersection of 85th Avenue and International Boulevard.
According to authorities, three men, aged 65, 64, and 44, are confirmed dead. There names have not been released to the public pending notification of their families. Two people were critically injured and another was seriously injured. The driver and one other person suffered minor injuries.
Authorities said the driver tried to walk or run away from the area but that people detained him until police arrived.
According to authorities, the driver drove at high speed before making an turn onto International Boulevard, hitting a parked car and then driving up on a sidewalk and running into a group of people outside a store. The driver drove a vehicle registered to a family member.
A hold was placed on the suspect on suspicion of multiple counts of vehicular manslaughter.
“Oakland is mourning the lives lost in last night’s tragic crash,” said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee in a statement. “Our hearts are with the victims, their families, loved ones, and all of those impacted.”
It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Oakland Police Department Traffic Investigation Unit at 510-777-8570.
The crash comes two weeks after seven people were injured in the Uptown district when police said a car slammed into them on a sidewalk on the 1500 block of 18th Street. Among the injured in that May 2 crash was a 15-year-old girl.
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