A tragic incident unfolded on Interstate 980 (I-980) in Oakland early Tuesday morning resulting in the death of a man. According to the California Highway Patrol, the man set up a fire under the freeway, leading to his demise.
The fire was first reported at 1:25 a.m. The Oakland Fire Department observed a man setting up the fire on the westbound lane of I-980 near the 17th Street off-ramp.
When firefighters arrived at the off-ramp, they found a severely burned victim with head trauma. The California Highway Patrol subsequently shut down the highway’s westbound lane near the off-ramp.
The eastbound 17th Street off-ramp was also ordered to close, and a Sig-alert was issued. The California Highway Patrol requested Caltrans for a hard closure near the area.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unexpected dangers that can present themselves on highways. It underlines the importance of vigilance, safety, and adherence to traffic laws while on the road.