OAKLAND — A man’s body was found Wednesday morning at an East Oakland homeless encampment where he lived, and police said he apparently was killed early Monday when he was struck by a portion of a wrought iron fence that was struck by an out-of-control car.
The name of the man killed, who is believed to be in his 50s, was not released pending notification of his next of kin.
The man was found dead about 11 a.m. Wednesday, in a large pile of debris at a homeless camp in the 2200 block of East 12th Street. Police believe he was killed about 2:20 a.m. Monday.
Police said based on the initial investigation, it appears two cars were traveling at high speed westbound on East 12th Street when one of them apparently side-swiped the other around 23rd Avenue.
That impact caused one vehicle, a 2008 Acura TL, to lose control, crossing into the eastbound lanes and onto the sidewalk before crashing into a wrought-iron fence that surrounds the encampment. Police said the man killed was standing just inside the fence and was struck by a portion of it, the impact causing fatal injuries and knocking him into the debris pile several feet away.
His body was not found at the time.
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The Acura ended up inside the camp and the driver was treated and released at a hospital for minor injuries. He apparently did not know a person had been struck, police said.
The vehicle that collided with the Acura fled the scene, and that driver is being sought.
Another camp resident, a woman, found the man Wednesday morning and police were called.
The woman, who did not want to give her name, said she did not know the dead man’s full name, but said he had lived in a tent there at least six months, had “no enemies, was very friendly and always smiling. This is just so shocking and sad,” she said.
The police investigation is continuing. Anyone with information may call traffic investigators at 510-777-8570. Anyone with videos and photos that could assist in the investigation may email them to cidvideo@oaklandca.gov.