Slush Pile: You, too, can be roadkill

2007 Slush Pile

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You, too, can be roadkill

2007 Reader Submission
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I've made comic reference to this this on my blog, Cerebral Core Texts (cerebralcoretexts.blogspot.com), under the heading "Roadkill and you." Here are the details from the web and the SF Chronicle. _____________________________________ Man Gruesomely Killed On 880 In Hayward, CA Identified

The man whose body was found on the southbound lanes of Interstate Highway 880 in Hayward on Thursday has been identified Friday by the Alameda County coroner's bureau as 37-year-old David Connolly of Berkeley.

The coroner's bureau said they recovered part of one hand and most of another and were able to lift fingerprints.

Witnesses reportedly told California Highway Patrol officers that Connolly was trying to hitchhike from Berkeley to Hayward. A truck driver pulled over but refused to give the man a ride.

_________________________ Body struck repeatedly on I-880 identified as Berkeley hitchhiker Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer

Friday, October 12, 2007

04:00 PDT Hayward -- The man found dead after being hit on Interstate 880 in Hayward was identified Friday as a hitchhiker from Berkeley who secretly clung to the bottom of a truck for 20 miles before losing his grip, falling to the freeway and being struck by numerous cars, authorities said.

David Connolly, 37, walked up to a truck parked off Interstate 80 in Berkeley before dawn Thursday and, in Spanish, asked the driver for a ride, said California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Davis.

The truck driver, who had been sleeping, told authorities he was uncomfortable with the idea and told Connolly no. When Connolly insisted and tried to open the truck door, the driver blocked him and started to drive away.

Without the driver's knowledge, however, Connolly had somehow climbed underneath the truck and hidden himself in a space above the driveshaft, Davis said. Near the A Street exit on I-880 in Hayward, Connolly apparently lost his grip.

It was unclear whether Connolly let go because the truck hit a bump, if he passed out from fumes or fell asleep. It is also not known whether he died as a result of falling to the freeway or from being hit by many cars, Davis said.

Asked how Connolly could have hung on in such a fashion, Davis said, "For dear life."

Authorities reached their conclusion after the truck driver came forward. He had seen news reports about the death and found bits of clothing and remains under his truck, Davis said.

The space between the bottom of the truck and the ground measured 44 inches, which was enough to provide clearance for someone, Davis said.

Connolly's remains were strewn across five lanes and 1,000 feet of highway, and the CHP reported receiving about 80 phone calls from witnesses or drivers who had hair or blood on their cars.

The southbound freeway was shut down for more than two hours.

The Alameda County coroner's office used Connolly's fingerprints to identify him.

Submitted on 11/24/2007

Submitted by: Geoffrey Gamble
Reference: SF Chronicle, 10/12/07

>> Moderator Scores <<

Bruce said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
Thanks, Geoffrey, we received this story dozens of times back in October when this incident occurred.

Chip said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
Geoffrey, as Bruce said we already have this one.

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2007 Slush Pile

You, too, can be roadkill

2007 Reader Submission Pending Acceptance

2007 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance