Pinole man killed in crash with fleeing suspect remembered as

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Aug 29, 2008 | by Robert Salonga

PINOLE -- A man killed when a parole violator crashed into his car was a beloved staff member at Contra Costa College who also counseled disabled students, colleagues said Friday.

Meanwhile, the suspect who authorities say was fleeing sheriff's deputies in a stolen car was jailed on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office said.

Martin Padilla, 51, was driving on Pinole Valley Road about a half mile north of his home Thursday afternoon when a red Nissan driven by 28-year-old Richmond resident Michael Jason Moore careened out of control and struck Padilla's car head-on, the sheriff's office said.

Padilla worked for the San Pablo college nearly 20 years, most recently as the evening program monitor in charge of keeping classes and the college running at night and on weekends.

"He basically took care of and provided service for our every need," said college President McKinley Williams. "He did so much above and beyond the call of duty. His shoes are just going to be difficult to fill."

Williams remembered Padilla as a humble man devoted to the campus where he was held in high regard.

"Martin was extremely passionate about what he did," Williams said. "He loved serving people. He loved Contra Costa College."

During the day, Padilla, who held a master's degree in disability rehabilitation services, mentored disabled students, Williams said.

Through a relative, the Padilla family declined to comment.

Moore was booked into County Jail in Martinez on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter and felony evading, said sheriff's Capt. Daniel Terry. He is being held without bail because of a parole violation.

"(Moore) was driving with total negligence and disregard for public safety, and it ultimately ended in the tragic death of an innocent citizen," Terry said.

Moore has an extensive criminal history in Contra Costa County and was being sought for his involvement in a crime while on parole, Terry said.

A bench warrant had been issued Tuesday for his failure to appear in court in November 2007 on charges of possessing drugs and paraphernalia, forgery, possession of a false ID and giving a false name to police.

Court records also show Moore was sentenced to 60 days in jail after a 2006 conviction for possession of a controlled substance, and in 2002, he was convicted of setting fire to a BART train between El Cerrito and Richmond.

Deputies spotted Moore on Thursday in the Nissan that had been reported stolen about 4 p.m. near Appian Way and San Pablo Avenue in Pinole. They followed the car to Hilltop Drive in Richmond and continued pursuing it onto Interstate 80 after it failed to stop for the patrol car's lights.

The Nissan got off I-80 at Pinole Valley Road, and the deputies momentarily lost sight of it. They saw it again just before the driver lost control near Ellerhorst Elementary School and ran into the blue Suzuki station wagon being driven by Padilla, Terry said.

Padilla suffered fatal injuries. Moore was hospitalized at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek for head injuries before he was taken to jail Friday morning.

Terry said Moore was combative with deputies trying to detain him after the crash, punching and spitting at them. In keeping with department protocol, Terry said the chase is being reviewed to make sure deputies followed procedures designed to prevent a pursuit from endangering other motorists and bystanders.

"Any time we have a pursuit, it is something we always critique," Terry said. "As of right now, it appears that our officers were in compliance. The suspect's actions in this case were the contributing factor to the death."

In the meantime, the Contra Costa College community is reeling from the sudden loss of someone they've come to know as a mainstay at the campus.

"People are in a state of shock," Williams said. "Folks couldn't believe it. Not Martin. Not to such a nice guy."

Staff writer Malaika Fraley contributed to this story. Reach Robert Salonga at 925-943-8013 or rsalonga@bayareanewsgroup.com.