Prominent East Oakland resident remembered as 'valedictorian of the streets' after deadly crash
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- A community is mourning after three people were killed and several others injured when a vehicle drove onto a sidewalk in East Oakland late Saturday night.
The victims include 63-year-old James Robert Dixon Jr., known as "OG Frog," who residents described as a well-known figure in the neighborhood. The crash happened along a stretch of sidewalk where people had gathered near a liquor store.
Dixon's tribute Monday night involved the release of 100 doves by family and friends.
Those in attendance included well-known rapper Mistah F.A.B.
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"Me and Frog talked every day or almost every day. It was like a multitude of things we would talk about. He was like a brother, an uncle, a father figure in some spaces, and a mentor. He just embodied what Oakland was and what Oakland represents man, he was like the last of a dying breed," said FAB.
"My dad is half man, half amazing, he's my everything and I'm gonna miss him," said Frog's daughter Kayla Dixon.
"Frog was our Steph Curry, he was our Lebron James, he was our Michael Jordan of these streets in East Oakland, so growing up he was one of those special ones, Valedictorian of the streets," said Eric Muhammad, a friend of Dixon.
Police say the juvenile driver is under arrest on suspicion of felony hit and run, along with vehicular manslaughter.
While not ruling out that this crash was intentional, Oakland Interim Police Chief James Beere says it looks like the result of a tragic auto accident.
James Baldwin, who narrowly avoided being struck, said he knew those killed and injured, described the moment the crash unfolded.
"He hit a car, and once he hit that car, he just mauled all my family down. He just never hit the brakes," Baldwin said.
In addition to the three people killed, several others were hurt and remained hospitalized following the crash.
Baldwin described a chaotic and devastating scene.
"He didn't show no remorse for the actions he did and there were 8 bodies on the ground," he said.
Witnesses said the driver, described as a juvenile, tried to run away but was stopped by bystanders.
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Tributes for Dixon have spread throughout the community, where he was known for his presence and connections on the block. Dixon who was recently involved in the Frog and Frog podcast, was someone known for years on this block in Oakland.
"He was a legend. My uncle was a people's person, he loved this block right here, he fought for this block where he died on. You know he stood for this block right here. A legend," Baldwin said.
Others gathered at the scene to pay their respects, including people who did not know Dixon personally but came because of his impact on loved ones.
"She just said he was always a good person to her, they grew up together and he was always kind to her, like he never caused problems," said Destiny Artis, recounting what her mother told her about Dixon.
Debris remained scattered across the area a day after the crash, serving as a stark reminder of what happened.
"We kinda hide from the truth but it looked like an act of terror, for that many people to die in an instant from a car or anything. Just rest in peace, 85th mourn for y'all. For everybody, we hurt, everybody hurt. So many people hurt," Baldwin said.
MORE: Police searching for suspect who allegedly drove onto sidewalk in Oakland, injuring 7
The crash comes about two weeks after a separate incident in Oakland in which a driver intentionally drove onto a curb near the Fox Theater in the Uptown area, injuring seven people, including a 15-year-old girl.
Authorities said two passengers were arrested while running from that scene, and police recovered two guns. All victims in that case are recovering.
"He) took all the kids out to great America, got us all together and said it's time to go. He made our childhood. He made my childhood and words can't describe what we're going together right now," said Asia Allen, Dixon's niece.
