Man killed on I-880 ID'd as Oaklander

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Mar 4, 2008 | by Jason Sweeney

SAN LEANDRO -- The Alameda County Coroner's Office has identified the 21-year-old man killed on Interstate 880 in San Leandro early Sunday. He was Oakland resident Jose Villa-Galvan, authorities said.

Villa-Galvan was struck by at least two vehicles when he ran across the freeway after his Honda Accord crashed into a median, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Villa-Galvan and male companions were traveling north on I-880 at 2:29 a.m. when the gold 1995 Honda Accord crashed into the median just south of Davis Street. The left side of the vehicle was pinned against the median, and Villa-Galvan and his two companions exited on the right side and ran across the freeway, making it safely to the shoulder, according to CHP Sgt. Michelena .

Michelena said the Honda was registered to Villa-Galvan, but officers have not determined if he was the driver or if alcohol was involved.

At 2:32 a.m., Villa-Galvan reportedly ran back across the freeway toward his vehicle and was struck by a black 2002 Acura TL traveling about 65 mph.

Villa-Galvan was lying in the roadway when he was struck again by a white or silver Ford sport utility vehicle that did not stop, according to the CHP.

After the Acura came to rest, it was rear-ended, possibly by the Ford. The Acura reportedly sustained major damage; its driver and passenger received minor injuries.

Villa-Galvan was pronounced dead at the scene. As of Monday evening, police were still searching for his two companions, who fled on foot.

No charges were filed against the driver of the Acura, Michelena said.

Four-car crash

At 2:56 a.m., a four-car crash occurred on I-880 south of where Villa-Galvan died. In that crash, a white 2005 Mercury Mariner traveling at what police called an unsafe speed overturned south of Davis Street after crashing into a 1992 Lincoln Town Car, a 2006 Dodge Ram and a 1993 Cadillac DeVille -- all of which had stopped because of the Villa-Galvan accident.

The Lincoln became engulfed in flames, according to the CHP.

When officers approached the overturned Mercury, no one was inside, and no witnesses reported seeing the driver leave the vehicle, Michelena said.

Michelena said officers know the identity of the Mercury's owner, but have not determined who was driving. He said officers visited the residence of the owner Sunday, but no one was home.

The four-car collision resulted in minor injuries to the people involved, who were transported to local hospitals, according to the CHP.

All northbound lanes on I-880 were closed as officers investigated the collisions and the fatality. The freeway was completely reopened at 4:13 a.m. Sunday.

Anyone with additional information can call the CHP's Hayward office at 510-489-1500.

Jason Sweeney can be reached at 510-293-2469 or jsweeney@bayareanewsgroup.com.