OAKLAND — Police said they are actively searching for a man they believe was driving the vehicle that fatally struck an East Oakland resident and mother earlier this year.
Just after 3:20 p.m., January 17, police responded to the 1800 block of 98th Avenue for a report of a person struck by a vehicle. When officers arrived, they found an injured woman identified as Miesha Singleton, 40. Singleton, who was pronounced dead at the scene, is survived by seven children.
#OPD is looking for a newer model white Nissan Maxima that was involved in a hit and run accident in the 1800 block of 98th Avenue. Damage done to the front passenger side windshield. #OPDCARES #PUBLICSAFETY pic.twitter.com/Bw4NA3M4lz
— Oakland Police Dept. (@oaklandpoliceca) January 18, 2020
Authorities said Singleton was in a crosswalk and on her way to pick up her child from nearby Elmhurst United Middle School when she was struck by a Nissan Maxima that had passed another vehicle that had stopped to let Singleton cross the street in a marked crosswalk. The Nissan then drove away without stopping.
Tips to investigators led to the abandoned Nissan’s recovery days later, but there was no sign of its driver.”We have been actively searching for Henry Melendez who is wanted in connection with this fatal hit and run,” police said in part Thursday, noting investigators’ work with U.S. Marshals.
“We are confident we will bring Melendez to justice and provide closure for the Singleton family and our community.”
Police released an image of Melendez, described as Latino, 5-foot-7 and 137 pounds with brown eyes and dark hair, and asked anyone with information to call the department’s traffic investigation unit at 510-777-8570. The department and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.
Today, the Oakland Police Department’s Traffic Investigations Section released the name of Henry Melendez who is wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run. pic.twitter.com/HX5Y3RJME7
— Oakland Police Dept. (@oaklandpoliceca) May 15, 2020
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.
