Oakland Man Charged With Murder for Alleged DUI Hit-and-Run That Killed 76-Year-Old Woman

On July 13, Darlene Scalf, a 76-year-old retired schoolteacher from Louisiana, was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver in Oakland while legally crossing the street. The incident occurred at the intersection of Fruitvale Avenue and East 27th Street during the morning hours. Authorities arrested 40-year-old Jeremiah Mendoza at a nearby gas station, where he exhibited signs of intoxication and had an open beer container in his vehicle. Mendoza faces several charges, including murder and DUI causing injury, with additional counts of gross vehicular manslaughter due to his prior DUI convictions from over a decade ago. The severity of the charges reflects California's strict laws on DUI offenses, particularly for repeat offenders.

Mendoza is currently held without bail at Santa Rita County Jail, with a court appearance set for August 7 to enter a plea. This tragic incident has raised concerns about road safety and the consequences of driving under the influence. Local officials may consider stricter measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.