After Berkeley cyclist is killed in Oakland, bike advocates call for a safety fix

"Hongmei Chen, a 54-year-old single mother, was biking from her job in Oakland to her home in Berkeley on the afternoon of Aug. 17 when she crossed the heavily trafficked intersection at 51st Street and Shattuck Avenue. According to a witness at the scene and a subsequent police report, Chen was hit by a large AAA truck there, leaving her with serious facial injuries."

"Shauna Harrison, a witness to the collision, told The Oaklandside that the driver was in the middle lane of the three-lane westbound road when he collided with Chen. Within moments of the collision, Harrison said, several people rushed to Chen's aid, including a doctor who had been at the Arco gas station across the street. Falck emergency workers and Oakland Fire Department personnel soon arrived, and Chen was taken to Highland Hospital. She died three days later from her injuries, on August 19."

"The police said it appeared that Chen was bicycling northbound on Shattuck Avenue through a red light when the driver of the truck passed westbound on 51st Street through a green light. The Oakland Police Department said the truck driver stayed on the scene and provided a statement to officers; the driver's name has not been released. The Oakland Police are asking those who witnessed the collision or its aftermath to contact the department's traffic investigation unit at 510-777-8570."

Hongmei Chen, 54, was bicycling from her job in Oakland to her home in Berkeley on Aug. 17 when she crossed the intersection at 51st Street and Shattuck Avenue and was struck by a large AAA truck. Bystanders, including a nearby doctor, rushed to assist and emergency responders transported her to Highland Hospital. Chen died from her injuries on Aug. 19. Police said Chen appeared to be bicycling northbound through a red light while the truck passed westbound on a green light; the truck driver remained on scene and gave a statement. Police are seeking witnesses. Chen was a single mother raising a 16-year-old daughter and worked and studied at the Academy of Chinese Culture & Health Sciences.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org