Fatal Hit-and-Run Reported at Fruitvale Avenue and East 27th Street
OAKLAND, CA, (July 16, 2025) - A 76-year-old Fontana woman, Darlene Scalf, was tragically killed Sunday morning in a hit-and-run crash in East Oakland, police confirmed.
Darlene Scalf, a 76-year-old woman from Fontana, was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver on Sunday morning in East Oakland, according to authorities.
The fatal collision occurred around 8:45 a.m. at the intersection of Fruitvale Avenue and East 27th Street. Preliminary reports indicate that a vehicle attempting to turn onto westbound East 27th Street from northbound Fruitvale Avenue struck Scalf while she was walking in a marked crosswalk.
Scalf was rushed to a hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The driver fled the scene but was located and arrested shortly after the incident, authorities said.
The case remains under active investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Hit-and-run drivers don’t just flee the scene—they compromise public safety and disregard the basic rules of the road. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nearly 65 percent of people killed in hit-and-run crashes are pedestrians or bicyclists.
“Having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a hit-and-run case and prove negligence,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal and an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney.
Bond emphasized the need to evaluate all possible contributing factors. “Road conditions, signage visibility, and road lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must thoroughly be examined. These procedures are necessary for helping those who have lost a loved one receive the justice that they deserve.”
She added, “The driver always has to take great care behind the wheel,” underscoring the responsibility every motorist holds to protect others on the road.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of the investigation, the family of Darlene Scalf may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim. Family members of hit-and-run victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, emotional distress, and pain and suffering following a tragic incident like this one.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Candice Bond, Of Counsel with Bond Legal.
“We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected,” Bond added.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a hit-and-run, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free, no-obligation consultation.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).