A tragic collision in East Oakland has resulted in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to seven others after a driver careened into a crowd. The driver, a 17-year-old boy, now faces manslaughter charges.
The shocking incident unfolded on Saturday night when a car was seen speeding into a crowd gathered outside a store at approximately 11:15 p.m. The vehicle, a Chevrolet Avalanche, was reportedly traveling at speeds exceeding 50 miles per hour before it collided with several other vehicles and made a delayed turn.
In a terrifying sequence of events, the car then mounted the sidewalk and crashed into a group of pedestrians at the intersection of 85th Avenue and International Boulevard. Oakland Police Chief James Beere detailed these events in a press briefing held on Monday.
The Alameda County Coroner’s Office confirmed that three individuals were pronounced dead at the scene. The victims were identified as Miguel Sanchez Ramirez, 44, Charles Blackmon, 65, and Robert Dixon, 64.
On Wednesday, Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson provided an update, confirming the formal manslaughter charges against the teenage suspect. The details were reported by KRON 4, highlighting the severity of the incident and the ongoing legal proceedings.
Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson gave an update on Wednesday, announcing the formal charges against the 17-year-old suspect, KRON 4 reported.
The crash resulted in the injuries of seven others, with one who remains in critical condition, Dickson added.
‘As I see the charges right now, there are at least ten victims,’ she continued. ‘Those charges range from charges relating to the death of individuals or injury and hit and run.’
The unidentified teen was formally charged following the deadly incident on Saturday night after a car was seen barreling into the crowd outside of a store at around 11.15pm at the intersection of 85th Avenue and International Boulevard
Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson, seen above, gave an update on Wednesday, announcing the formal manslaughter charges against the 17-year-old suspect
Three were killed in the incident; Miguel Sanchez Ramirez, 44, Charles Blackmon, 65, and Robert Dixon, 64. Crowds gathered at the scene of the tragedy to pay tribute to the victims
The teenage suspect had attempted to flee the scene on foot after the fateful crash, but was restrained by nearby witnesses until law enforcement arrived.
Cornelius Reed told KTVU that he had been at the scene when the tragedy unfolded and attempted to help those who were injured, which included some of his life-long friends.
Those injured also included the teen, who sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital before he was later released into police custody.
‘We were all grieving,’ Dickson added. ‘This is a terrible tragedy and I can’t even imagine folks who were close to the individuals who were lost on this evening what they are going through.’
The District Attorney said that the suspect appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday afternoon at the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center.
Tributes for those who lost their lives poured in on social media, as the community mourned the three victims.
Ramirez, owner of Doggy Loco, was known as ‘hotdog man’ and is said to be remembered as a ‘loving son, an attentive uncle and cousin and a great friend,’ a GoFundMe said.
The fundraiser said that the funds would be put toward Ramirez’s funeral as well as sending him to Mexico for his mother to say her final goodbye.
Robert Dixon, the 64-year-old nicknamed Frog, was known as a large presence in the community who ‘touched so many peoples lives’
Charles Blackmon, 65, was known as a ‘respected father,’ grandfather and retired veteran who was ‘truly going to be missed’
Miguel Sanchez Ramirez, the 44-year-old owner of Doggy Loco, was known as ‘hotdog man’ and is said to be remembered as a ‘loving son, an attentive uncle and cousin and a great friend’
A friend of Blackmon, a ‘respected father’ and grandfather, wrote on Facebook that the retired veteran was ‘truly going to be missed.’
‘You were such a giving person. Anytime somebody asked you for something, you would always give it to them,’ they wrote.
Blackmon’s niece described him as a ‘wonderful uncle’ and said: ‘There was nothing that you wouldn’t do for me – if I asked you, you did it…I always gave you the respect you deserved because you were my uncle and I loved you. It was an honor to have been your niece.’
Dixon, the third victim who was known by the nickname Frog, was known as a large presence in the community who ‘touched so many peoples lives.’
‘I love you Uncle Frog. This is devastating to me because I know you were one of the few that really cared about me genuinely. You always treated me like I was blood family and I’m honored to have been that close to a legend. I will never be the same, I love you,’ a friend wrote on Facebook.
‘This tragedy will never make sense. It could have been anyone of us – we all stand in that spot … it is normal for us to congregate in front of my brother’s building – up and down the block. We been hanging out for 45 years. It’s my family’s building – 85th Avenue is our home. Frog was at home,’ another said.
Described as a ‘legend’ by many online, a friend said: ‘My big bro was one of a select few that was realer than the realist always showing me love. He was always there for me and my family since the first day I met him no matter what.
‘A father, a brother, an uncle, a husband all across the board… you will forever be loved and will be always missed and never forgotten.’
Dixon, or Frog, was known as a ‘legend’ by many online and a large presence in his community
Dixon was a father, brother, uncle and husband who left behind three triplet grandchildren
Blackmon’s niece described him as a ‘wonderful uncle’ and a friend said he was a ‘giving person’ who was always there for those who needed him
Crowds gathered at the site of the crash on Monday to mourn and remember the lives lost in the tragic incident.
Mayor Barbara Lee said at a press conference on Monday: ‘We’re mourning the lives lost on Saturday…Our hearts are with the victims, their families, their loved ones and all of those impacted.’
The Daily Mail reached out to Alameda County District Attorney Dickson for further information.
