Man in wheelchair killed by Oakland hit-and-run driver

(KRON) — A hit-and-run driver in Oakland left a wheelchair-bound man to die in the street after running the victim over. The crash happened on May 4 at the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and 18th Street, police said.

Elmo E. Ballard Jr. was within a marked crosswalk when a vehicle turned east on 18th Street and struck Ballard, who was in his wheelchair, police and family members said. “After the collision, the driver exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot,” the Oakland Police Department wrote.

“The driver of the vehicle fled the scene leaving my brother trapped under his vehicle, left to suffer,” the victim’s sister wrote on a verified GoFundMe page.

Paramedics and police officers were dispatched to the crash scene at 11:30 a.m. “Paramedic personnel transported the pedestrian to an area hospital, where the victim died,” OPD wrote.

No arrests were made.

The GoFundMe page is raising donations to “give Elmo the proper burial he is deserving of,” his sister wrote. She added, “My family and I are kindly seeking any donation, prayer, or information regarding this tragedy. Justice will prevail.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oakland Police Department Traffic Investigation Unit at 510-777-8570. If you have videos or photos that could assist with the investigation, send them to cidvideos@oaklandca.gov.