A Driver Killed our Neighbor Bart Drawsand in Highland Terrace on April 27th
In the evening of April 27th, a driver hit Bartholomew Drawsand as he was biking on East 22nd St and 23rd Avenue. According to neighbors and Alameda County Sheriffs, Bart was riding his bike west on East 22nd and turned uphill onto 23rd Ave when a driver headed downhill on 23rd Ave struck him head on. The driver fled downhill on 23rd Ave without stopping and has not been caught.
Traffic Case Information
The Oakland Police Department (OPD) is investigating a vehicle collision that occurred shortly before 7:30 p.m. on April 27, 2026, in the area of 23rd Avenue and East 22nd Street. Officers responded to the area to investigate a report of a vehicle collision that occurred involving a bicyclist.
When officers arrived, they found a victim, a male in his 30s, injured after being struck by a vehicle. Paramedics transported the victim to an area hospital, where he was last listed in critical condition by medical personnel.
During the investigation, officers learned the bicyclist was traveling west on East 22nd Street and turned north onto 23rd Avenue. The vehicle was traveling south on 23rd Avenue when it collided with the bicyclist. The driver continued south on 23rd Avenue and left the area after the collision.
It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPD Traffic Section at (510)777-8570. If you have any videos or photos that could assist with the investigation, please send them to cidvideos@oaklandca.gov.
Update: On April 29, 2026, just after 11:00 a.m., the bicyclist died from their injuries.
Our hearts go out to Bart, whose life was cut short as he was biking around his neighborhood, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends who will forever miss him.
We are saddened and outraged that yet another life has been tragically taken due to traffic violence. Six people have been needlessly killed on the streets of Oakland just this year, with untold numbers of others whose lives have been irreparably harmed because of serious injuries due to traffic violence.
These injuries and deaths from traffic violence are preventable.
We don't know exactly how a southbound driver hit Bart when he was going north, but from watching traffic patterns on this street there is a danger introduced by the bus stop here. It is possible that the driver was swerving into oncoming lanes to go around a stopped bus right as Bart was rounding the corner heading north.
Near-side bus stops like this are more dangerous because they reduce visibility for people using the intersection. Moving the bus stop uphill to be a far-side stop at 23rd would mitigate this danger. In the meantime OakDOT should add median posts to discourage drivers from taking this dangerous maneuver around the bus.
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.
Bus stopping at the bus stop while cars drive into the opposing lane to pass it
- We call on OakDOT to prioritize street safety upgrades here and across the city. Immediately add a hardened center line to discourage dangerous passing, mark the crosswalk at 22nd with a center stop for pedestrians sign, add bus compatible speed cushions, and work with AC Transit to moving the bus stop to a safer location.
- We call on the Oakland Police Department to treat these wrongful traffic deaths with the same gravity as other deaths.
- 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.