Hitchhiker clung to back of truck for 20 miles

Cybergal · Oct 12, 2007

Man killed on I-880 held onto back of truck for 20 miles
10/12/07

BERKELEY - The man found dead after being hit on Interstate 880 in Hayward was identified today as a hitchhiker who secretly clung to the back 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, of Berkeley 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, Connolly grabbed onto the back and held on as the truck merged onto the freeway, Davis said. Near the A Street exit on Interstate 880 in Hayward, Connolly apparently lost his grip.
It was unclear whether Connolly died as a result of the fall or after being hit by many cars, Davis said.

Motorists initially reported a dead animal on the freeway shortly before 6 a.m. Thursday. But as dawn broke, other callers realized that a person had been hit.
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 reporting hair or blood on their cars.
"It looked like something that comes out of a horror movie," Davis said.
The southbound freeway was shut down for more than two hours.
Connolly was identified by the Alameda County coroner's office with the help of his fingerprints.
The truck driver isn't facing criminal charges, Davis said.
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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/12/BAVMSP3JN.DTL&tsp=1

Pete_379X · Oct 12, 2007

How crazy is that???

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