At 8am on Tuesday, Sept. 12, a hit-and-run and attempted carjacking near Emerson Elementary school left the Emerson Elementary community and neighborhood shaken. Just minutes before the school's morning drop-off time, a driver struck three Berkeley residents. According to the Berkeley Police Department, the victims included a 30-year-old man with his dog and a 46-year-old woman on the sidewalk of Belrose Avenue. Just around the block, the driver hit his third victim, 78-year-old bicyclist Robert, “Mr. Bob” Clear, a longtime Emerson Elementary traffic monitor. All three were hospitalized but confirmed to be in stable condition by the police.
Witnesses and officials have said that the crashes appeared deliberate. After abandoning his damaged BMW and two failed attempts to carjack separate vehicles, the perpetrator fled the scene on foot. Berkeley Police were able to arrest him, and authorities have identified him as a 26-year-old from Vallejo.
Clear has worked at Emerson directing traffic and greeting parents during school drop-off for over 15 years, beginning when his own children attended the school. The Emerson community collected cards and well wishes to bring to Clear in the hospital. There has also been some talk among the community of organizing a meal train and fundraiser for him.
Officials have not released his name, but the suspect is currently jailed on three counts of attempted murder, two counts of attempted carjacking, resisting/obstructing an officer, DUI causing injury, and vehicle theft.