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Indybay Feature

Memorials for Elena Castaneda, Killed on San Pablo in West Oakland 8/9/07

by dave id
Memorials were set up for cyclist Elena Castaneda, who was run over by a dump truck at the intersection of West, Isabella, and San Pablo on the morning of August 9th, 2007.
8-08-07_1149s.jpg
After speaking with several people present who actually witnessed the accident, it became apparent that the intersection has long been a problem and many predicted it was only a matter of time before someone was killed there. Elena Castaneda was recognized by locals and known to pass up and down San Pablo every day on her bike.
§Card
by dave id
8-08-07_1151s.jpg
§the danger zone
by dave id
oakland_ariel.jpg
According to police reports, the truck was traveling with the blue arrow and Elena the green. This contradicts eyewitness reports of Elena Castaneda heading southbound in the crosswalk and the fact that normally she would have been heading southbound from her home in Berkeley to her job in Oakland. Regardless, cars wrecklessly zip around the blind corner from San Pablo southbound to West Street all day every day. West Street is taken as a shortcut to avoid the stoplight at San Pablo and West Grand and to avoid the speedbumps on Isabella. Locals reported that they have complained to neighborhood groups and police for years about the dangers of this intersection and the likelihood that someone would get seriously hurt some day. After years of car accidents at this complicated 6-way intersection, today Elena Castaneda was struck by a truck and killed.

R.I.P.
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Arcadian Health Plan & Management Services is deeply saddened by the loss of Elena. Elena was on her way to work in Oakland at Arcadian when the accident occurred. She was full of life, had a wonderful sense of humor and lived every single day to the fullest. Elena, we thank you for letting us get to know you and being a part of our lives for such a brief time. We send our sympathies to her family, especially to her mom and dad in Chicago. We lost a good friend. Rest in peace, Elena. You will never be forgotten.
by ebe
this isn't a distraction from Elena's memorial.
Here is a link highlighted by the eastbay express showing locations of 2007 Oakland murders, some of which have memorials, and some of which do not. It is almost a political issue, that cities have passed bans on the memorials or instituted a practice of tearing them down as soon as possible.
It might be feasible to gain access to police records of pedestrian/bicycle fatalities from local police departments. There are pdf crime reports available at the Berkeley police department, but it is hard to do searches specifically for pedestrian fatalities as opposed to all vehicular crashes.
http://local.live.com/?v=2&cid=EC42F25DC938AB9F!101
by susan parish
Elena was such a spirit and had such wonderful humor. We at Treasure Island Job Corps grieve.
by Mariella
Elena y yo tomamos juntas clases de dibujo en Laney. Elena era una persona con muy buena energía, amigable con todos. Saber de su súbita muerte me ha dejado triste, definitivamente voy a extrañarla, mis condolencias a su familia y seres queridos.
Mariella Galloso
by Nilda de Leon
Elena, I will always remember you as a very conscientious and compassionate coordinator looking after our trainees in their off center -advanced college training. Your smile and happy spirit still linger in my mind. May you rest in peace and eternal light shine upon you.
by marcos
elena,

every time i had the good fortune to see you whether at R.C. gatherings or at an event in the community, you radiated light and warmth, and this world will be a little bit darker and colder without you......we shall continue to fight against all oppression with intelligence, fierceness, and compassion as you did.............and we'll keep on dancing and singing while we do it as you did.........hasta la victoria....nos vemos en el futuro....con mucho carino siempre........marcos
by Tara Hekmati Miller
Dear ACT/OCT Coordinator:
We worked together for 4 years and we laughed everyday. I will miss your sense of humor & your smile. Rest in peace
Love, Tara
by Jack (jackreisner [at] hotmail.com)
Elena (E) What fun we had, you were (are) my island of sanity. I will always think of your beautiful, giving spirt. We had fun
remembering you. We listened,sang, danced and loved. It was just as you would have had it. You are now free to soar with the Eagles, and ALL the birds you so loved. Peace be with you. Love, Jack
Elena, much of your life was shared at your memorial Tuesday night. I am sure many that were there, learned more of you. I for one did and can see that your embrace and smile was shared among many, from the East to the West of our country and around the world. Your artistry created others to be inspired in many ways. We don't know why you were taken, but rather than question, may those left here with your memories become a light for others as you would see fit. From the Windy City you came to the coast of the Bay, here you made your home, yet, I'm sure your heart carried your homeland spirit wherever you went. To her father and mother, Elena will be flying high as the Hawk and when she lands, she will walk upon Mother Earth with the Free Spirit and with her brothers...como Pantera Negra.
En Paz, Kentara - "Mystique Global Entertainment"
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