A Driver Killed our Neighbor Billy Grant in Rockridge on February 1st
On February 1st at 6:20 a driver hit and killed Billy Grant as he was standing next to his recycling cart on Claremont Ave near Hillegass in Rockridge.
Our hearts go out to Mr. Grant, whose life was cut short as he was walking through the neighborhood, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
Traffic Case Information #26-005058
On February 1, 2026, at approximately 1829 hours, Oakland Police officers were dispatched to the 6000 blk of Claremont Ave to investigate a report of a vehicle vs pedestrian collision. Officers arrived on scene and located a male pedestrian laying on the street with blunt force trauma injuries. OFD and medical personnel arrived on scene and provided first aid. Falck transported the pedestrian to Highland Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
It appears that the pedestrian was walking in the southbound lane of traffic in the 6000 blk of Claremont Ave, when a vehicle driving southbound Claremont Ave struck the pedestrian in the roadway, outside a crosswalk. The vehicle’s driver stayed on scene and provided a statement to law enforcement. The pedestrian is a male black in his 70s from Oakland. The identification is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The driver of the vehicle is a female Asian in her 20s from Berkeley.
It does not appear that alcohol or drugs played a factor in this collision.
This incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oakland Police Department Traffic Investigation Unit at (510) 777-8570.
Lieutenant Tim Dolan (Primary)
Traffic Investigations Unit
Oakland Police Department
We are saddened and outraged that yet another life has been tragically taken due to traffic violence. 23 people were needlessly killed on the streets of Oakland last year, with untold numbers of others whose lives have been irreparably harmed because of serious injuries due to traffic violence. And we're not off to a good start in 2026.
These injuries and deaths from traffic violence are preventable.
Members of Traffic Violence Rapid Response visited the location, found Mr Grant's cart, and spoke with several neighbors, some of whom witnessed the aftermath of the collision. Contrary to the police report, neighbors report that the scene immediately after the collision showed Mr. Grant was standing next to his cart in the parking lane, not in the vehicle travel lane. The neighbors also report a deep sense of constant threat from speeding vehicles on Claremont as they step off their front steps right into the danger of speeding vehicles.
This location is inherently dangerous. Claremont runs two lanes in each direction for over a third of a mile (2000ft) between traffic lights. Many drivers refuse to stop for people at the two marked crosswalks on Claremont and there are no other stop signs or flashing beacons for the 1/3rd of a mile between traffic lights. This collision occurred on the westbound side, which slopes downhill, and nearly every driver is exceeding the speed limit. In addition the sidewalks are very narrow, too narrow to safely use a cart, wheelchair, or stroller. Claremont is on Oakland's High-Injury Network because the street is dangerous for people navigate.
Traffic safety is public safety. We call on elected leaders, Oakland Police Department, Oakland Fire Department, and the Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT) to treat the traffic safety crisis like the public safety crisis it is and to accelerate efforts to make Oakland’s streets safe for everyone, whether they are traveling by car, bike, on foot, or in a mobility device.
- We call on OakDOT to prioritize street safety upgrades here and across the city. Installing on-demand stop lights (HAWK Beacons) at each crosswalk, and installing speed cushions at regular intervals on all lanes, would make residents much safer.
- We call on the Oakland Police Department to treat these wrongful traffic deaths with the same gravity as other deaths, and include vehicle speeds in their public reports.
- We call on the Oakland Fire Department to work collaboratively with OakDOT to reduce vehicle lanes and slow vehicle traffic across Oakland to save lives.
- We call on Oakland’s elected leadership to prioritize and fully fund street safety work and remove contracting, staffing and other barriers to achieving safe streets for all residents.
About Traffic Violence Rapid Response
We are a group of caring Oaklanders organizing together to put an end to traffic violence throughout Oakland.
We believe traffic violence is a systemic solvable problem. We believe we can build safe streets for everyone using internationally recognized street designs that prioritize the safety and comfort of all residents, especially our most vulnerable neighbors.
We respond to incidents of traffic violence by raising awareness about the incident, lifting the voices of the victims and the community, and demanding concrete action from those with the power to help.