IndyBay.org: Memorials for Elena Castaneda, Killed on San Pablo in West Oakland

Memorials were set up for cyclist Elena Castaneda, who was run over by a dump truck at the intersection of West, Isabella, and San Pablo on the morning of August 9th, 2007. After speaking with several people present who actually witnessed the accident, it became apparent that the intersection has long been a problem and many predicted it was only a matter of time before someone was killed there. Elena Castaneda was recognized by locals and known to pass up and down San Pablo every day on her bike.

• Cyclist killed by truck on San Pablo in Oakland (warning: graphic photo)

According to police reports, the truck was traveling with the blue arrow and Elena the green. Wrecklessly, cars zip around the blind corner from San Pablo southbound to West Street all day every day. West Street is taken as a shortcut to avoid the stoplight at San Pablo and West Grand and to avoid the speedbumps on Isabella.Locals reported that they have complained to neighborhood groups and police for years about the dangers of this intersection and the likelihood that someone would get seriously hurt some day.

After years of car accidents at this complicated 6-way intersection, today Elena Castaneda was struck by a truck and killed.

R.I.P.