Black sedan wrapped around lamp post in Oakland; critical injury

Black sedan wrapped around lamp post in Oakland

At least one person died early Monday morning in East Oakland in a scene that involved a black sedan and a heavy police presence.

Serious crash on International Boulevard in Oakland reinvigorates debate on safety

A BMW crashed into and ended up wrapped around a lamppost on International Boulevard in Oakland. Police are investigating the circumstances leading up to the wreck.

OAKLAND, Calif. - At least one person was critically injured in a Monday morning crash in East Oakland. The scene involved a black sedan and a heavy police presence.

Oakland police said the person was taken to the hospital in critical condition after the 4 a.m. crash at 54th Avenue at International Boulevard.

A black BMW, which appeared to be wrapped around a lamp post and nearly sliced in two, was seen across the street at 53rd Avenue.

Councilmembers react

What we know:

"This is a tragedy. This right here, it's like a movie set. I can't even believe this really happened," Councilmember Ken Houston told KTVU from the scene.

An Oakland police officer came across the crash and reported it to dispatch. The incident brought a large number of patrol patrol officers and investigators to the scene.

Although there was no report of a police chase, a source familiar with the investigation told KTVU authorities wanted to properly document the scene to confirm the circumstances leading up to the crash.

Whatever the cause, Houston said driver behavior is certainly a factor.

"The driving culture is this: we have no respect for the law," Houston said. "Things like this happen when the law does not have a certain amount of respect. People drive crazy."

Debate over configuration of thoroughfare

What they're saying:

It's the latest serious wreck along busy International Boulevard, where one lane in each direction is designated as bus-only for AC Transit.

Whether that has increased safety or not depends on who you talk to.

Houston is firmly against it.

"You see how this was all was redone? That shouldn't have happened from the beginning. This is a hazard for the businesses and the residents for this to even be made like this," Houston said.

Noel Gallo, interim council president who supports the bus-only lanes, said, "People speeding, clearly some don't even have a driver's license or know what the rules are."

Gallo added, "One of the areas that's slackened here in Oakland, we're not creating the enforcement. We already have the laws. In terms of no, you cannot go over 25 miles per hour. No, you cannot be in the bus lane."

Nadia Meyers works nearby.

"We have a lot of car crashes," she said. "That area right there, we do have a lot of crashes."