Man Run over Repeatedly on I-880 Jill Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer

Hayward (October 12, 2007) — Authorities say they may have trouble identifying a body found on Interstate 880 before dawn Thursday because it was repeatedly struck by passing cars for about an hour during the morning commute.

The first call to the California Highway Patrol that something was amiss came before 6 a.m. The caller reported a dead dog. Officers arrived at southbound I-880 in Hayward nearly an hour later and made the gruesome discovery.

On the ground was a human ear. The CHP immediately called for the freeway to be closed. It was 6:50 a.m., less than a half hour before sunrise. The remains of the man were strewn across five lanes and 1,000 feet of highway, CHP Officer Mike Davis said. It appeared the body was first hit at about A Street.

There was so little recognizable from the body that identifying him is likely to require someone coming forward to report a missing friend or relative, investigating officers said. "It looked like something that comes out of a horror movie," Davis said. It took authorities hours to process the scene, and the highway was reopened by 10 a.m.

Davis said the man was wearing jeans, white tennis shoes and a shirt, which was difficult to identify in the condition officers found it. They found no identification and no vehicle nearby that could have belonged to him.

The victim appeared to be between ages 30 and 50 with a crew cut. His ethnicity was unknown. His clothes did not appear to be that of a homeless man or a vagrant, Davis said. He also carried money in his pocket. Davis said, based on preliminary evidence, it appeared the man was alive before he was hit.

Since the incident, the CHP has received about 80 phone calls from witnesses or drivers reporting hair or blood on their cars, Davis said.

The CHP is asking people to call if someone they know didn't arrive home Thursday after work or didn't show up for work. Those wishing to report a missing person or other information about the incident can call the CHP at (510) 489-1500.

E-mail Jill Tucker at jtucker@sfchronicle.com.

Body Struck Repeatedly on I-880

Identified as Berkeley Hitchhiker Henry K. Lee, San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer

Hayward (October 13, 2007) -- 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.

E-mail Henry K. Lee at hlee@sfchronicle.com.

Submitted on 10/13/2007

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: San Francisco Chronicle Oct. 12 & 13, 2007

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Bruce said:
Definitely Toss: Repeat
Thanks, we've already received this story a number of times.

James said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
This provides even more detail about our departed fellow. Should this incident win a DA for the year, it will help!

Chip said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
And the story grows...