An East Oakland woman who was injured in a hit-and-run accident hopes that video footage taken by bystanders may assist identify the offender.
Sara, who wanted to keep her last name hidden for fear of revenge, said she published her tale and the video to keep the driver from hurting anybody else.
The hit-and-run occurred on Friday, and the victim said she is now terrified to drive.
Neighbors reported that drivers running red lights in broad daylight are typical on busy Macarthur Boulevard at 106th Avenue, where the crash happened.
“People don’t abide by the rules,” said Tamika Stallings, who lives in the area. “It’s sad, just being a person living in Oakland. You have to be cautious of your every movement.”
Sara is battling to recuperate from leg and back ailments.
“It destroys me. It destroys my hope. If he’s still out there, it could be someone else. I got lucky enough to survive this incident,” she said.
She recalled driving to perform errands when a speeding driver cut in front of multiple cars, ran a red light, and collided with her vehicle.
The accident totaled her automobile.
She showed KTVU a video obtained by a witness of the accused hit-and-run driver.
The victim depicted the man strolling around the front of the black Lexus he was driving. He appeared to check his car for damage before getting back in and driving away.
Residents in the region reported a high rate of hit-and-run accidents and irresponsible driving.
“It happens out here.There’s no code of integrity out here. Everyone is all for themself,” one neighbor said.
Sara believes that the video will help authorities identify and apprehend the culprit. She is happy that five onlookers came to her rescue.
“There was a lady specifically praying for me, holding my hand. There was a man working for PG&E who came over and helped me take deep breaths since I’m asthmatic,” she said.
Sara also thanked everyone who aided her.
She wanted the culprit to apologize not to her, but to everyone who witnessed the incident.
“Everyone who was there, I can remember and see, visually see, the stress and the shock,” said Sara.
Police have not made any arrests.
The woman stated that physicians warned her that it would take three months to recuperate from her physical injuries, but she is still struggling mentally about the trauma.
