East Oakland Community Remembers Victims of Saturday’s Deadly Car Crash

“He’ll help you out with anything,” said Johnson, who added that Dixon was outgoing and loved to sing karaoke.

Dixon was also remembered by Oakland rapper Mistah F.A.B., who said the man had been a member of the “Cadillac Club,” which held weekly car meetups, with his mother.

“May your name live forever,” the rapper said in a tribute to Dixon on Instagram.

Police officials announced Monday that an Oakland teenager, who has not been identified, had been arrested in connection with the crash.

“It’s a ripple effect on our community, deeply impacting family, loved ones, residents and friends who live and work in the neighborhood,” interim Police Chief James Beere said during a press conference on Monday. “Truly, throughout the whole entire city of Oakland, we are mourning.”

Authorities said the teen was driving recklessly northbound on 85th Avenue near International Boulevard, where he hit multiple vehicles, causing significant damage to at least one.

He then tried to make a delayed turn at the intersection and drove up onto the sidewalk, where he struck a group of pedestrians.

In addition to the three pedestrians who died on the scene, another three were taken to hospitals in critical condition. Of those victims, one remains in critical condition, while another is reportedly stable and the third has been released, according to Beere. He said additional pedestrians also sustained injuries.

The driver was also taken to the hospital, where he received treatment before being taken into custody.

According to Beere, the suspect tried to flee on foot on International Boulevard, but was restrained by community members on scene.

“The courage displayed by those on scene shows a growing trust between our neighborhoods, City Hall, and the Oakland police department,” Mayor Barbara Lee said during a press conference on Monday. “We’re not working in isolation but together as members of the community.”

Beere said that the police department had not ruled out that the driver’s actions were intentional, but that they believe the crash was accidental. He said the department was seeking a search warrant to obtain blood from the suspect to rule out alcohol or drug involvement.

He said the investigation is still in its early stages.

Saturday’s incident was the second vehicle crash in Oakland this month. In the early morning on May 2, a driver hit seven people, including a child, after driving onto a sidewalk on 18th Street in the Uptown neighborhood.

The driver in that incident fled the scene, but Beere said Monday that authorities had narrowed down their whereabouts and an arrest was imminent.

KQED’s Pendarvis Harshaw contributed to this report.