Man running across Oakland freeway dies after being hit by vehicle

The fatal collision happened Sunday night on I-880 near 29th Avenue

OAKLAND, Calif. — The coroner’s office identified Elester Payne III, 34, as the man who died Sunday night after being hit by a vehicle running across Interstate 880, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Payne’s city of residence was unknown to the coroner’s office.

The fatal accident occurred around 11:13 p.m. Sunday in the southbound lanes of I-880, north of 29th Avenue.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Payne was apparently attempting to run across the freeway from the south shoulder when he was struck by a car in the number two lane and ended up in the lane closest to the center divider. The CHP is still looking into why he attempted to run across the freeway.

CHP Officer Adib Zeid stated that CHP officers provided first aid to the injured man at the scene before transporting him to a hospital by ambulance. The hospital notified the CHP at 12:12 a.m. Monday that the man had died, according to Zeid.

According to Zeid, the driver who hit the man stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

The freeway’s southbound lanes were closed for about 15 minutes while the CHP investigated and were fully reopened by 11:45 p.m.