63-year-old cyclist dies after colliding with SUV in East Oakland

Hector Jose Ortega, 63, died following a collision with a speeding SUV in East Oakland on Friday. According to the Oakland Police Department, Ortega was riding an electric bicycle when he collided with a Ford SUV at Miller Avenue and East 16th Street. Witnesses reported both the cyclist and the SUV traveling at high speeds, with estimates placing the SUV's speed between 40 and 50 miles per hour. This tragic incident underscores the ongoing safety issues in the San Antonio neighborhood, which has seen numerous accidents due to speeding and a lack of traffic control measures. Residents previously constructed their own traffic calming infrastructure, which the city later dismantled, deeming it hazardous.

According to data from UC Berkeley’s Transportation Injury Mapping System, there have been two major collisions at this intersection in the last five years, indicating a persistent danger. The incident has prompted community advocacy for improved road safety measures in the area. Local volunteers have begun outreach efforts to support the affected community following the tragedy.