James Edward Oakley, a 58-year-old man living on the streets of Vallejo, was tragically killed on Christmas Eve when a public works crew accidentally crushed him with a backhoe while clearing an illegal dumping site. Initial reports did not indicate that the backhoe caused his death, but two months later, it was confirmed that he had been crushed accidentally. The investigation revealed that while the crew had checked for other individuals at the site, they did not adequately ensure the area was clear before proceeding with the work, raising questions about the safety protocols in place.
That day, the waste management team made the decision to skip collecting trash after observing a man nestled under a tarp with a mattress. It was a crucial moment that could have saved a life, had they acted differently.
KQED's findings revealed that calls from the public works crew to check for any occupants went unanswered, leading to a tragic oversight that cost Oakley his life.
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