3 injured in Berkeley after pedestrian hit-and-run, attempted carjacking: police

BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) — A man was arrested Tuesday after a string of hit-and-run accidents that seriously injured three people near UC Berkeley’s campus, according to police.

Police say the driver of a BMW drove up on the sidewalk in the 2700 block of Belrose Avenue before 8 a.m. An eyewitness told ABC7 News he saw the car hit a man walking his dog, and dragged him under the car for almost a block. That person was badly injured, and the dog ran away, according to the witness.

The suspect then allegedly did a U-turn and came back up the sidewalk, revving his engine and hitting a woman jogging. The witness said she bounced off the windshield and saw her somersault through the air.

The driver then turned the corner onto Derby Street and hit a bicyclist, who was also badly injured.

“He was in his 70s. There was a substantial amount of blood on the road. He apparently had a serious head injury. My reaction is I’m horrified and deeply saddened,” said Berkeley councilmember Mark Humbert.

All three adult victims were transported to the hospital.

The suspect then abandoned his car on the sidewalk in front of Emerson Elementary School as children were being dropped off for the day. He ran on foot and attempted to carjack two different vehicles with women drivers and children inside.

“Both of those attempted carjackings were attempted, they were unsuccessful, and the suspect continued down Garber to College, at which point we did have officers in the area,” said Berkeley police spokesperson Officer Jessica Perry.

The suspect was arrested, and police are still searching for a motive.

“We had multiple witnesses, again, this was the worst possible scenario for the time of morning. There were lots of people in the area headed to work, taking their children to school. Fortunately, all the victims involved were adults,” said Perry

All three who were injured remain hospitalized in stable condition.