The family and friends of a man who was fatally struck in an hit-and-run incident in Oakland during the weekend expressed their desire for justice on Tuesday.
When Jerome LaDay, aged 44, was cycling back home from work late Friday evening, he tragically got hit and died in the incident, according to Justin Gray, a close friend who runs the Golden Gate Cannabis Co. dispensary in San Francisco. LaDay held the position of Head of Security Operations at this establishment.
The accident happened approximately at 11:30 p.m. near the junction of International Boulevard and 78th Avenue. Authorities think LaDay was crossing the boulevard when he was hit by a vehicle traveling from the east.
Police stated that officers discovered LaDay in the westbound lanes. He was then transported to a hospital by paramedics, where he passed away.
According to the authorities, the motorist sped away.
Gray characterized LaDay as reliable, amusing, and charismatic. "He was a genuine person," Gray stated. "I had complete faith in that man with my very life."
Gray mentioned that LaDay "constantly wore a smile" and "had a way of making everyone around him grin."
Gary mentioned that LaDay rode his bike and took BART to get to work. According to Gray, he resided in East Oakland with his mom, noting further that LaDay was her primary source of support and care. She had taken care of LaDay and his brother alone and faces challenges related to mobility due to health problems, Gray added.
Gray expressed his hope that the police will apprehend the driver so as to offer his family some measure of closure, particularly emphasizing his mother’s need. "It's important for her to understand that accountability has been established for what transpired," Gray stated.
He started a GoFundMe page to assist in raising money for his family.