Last week, a hit-and-run driver struck and killed a 100-year-old man in Oakland, sparking a search by police for a tan or white Mini Cooper. Four days later, authorities found the vehicle and arrested the suspected driver.
Hit-and-run driver strikes and kills 100-year-old man
Last week, just before 7 AM near the intersection of 19th and Harrison Streets near Snow Park and Lake Merritt in Oakland, California, a 100-year-old man was struck and killed in a hit-and-run accident.
“Upon arrival, officers located the injured victim (adult male) with severe head trauma from the collision,” according to a statement by the Oakland Fire Department (OFD).
“The OFD and Falck Ambulance arrived on scene and provided aid to the victim who succumbed to his injuries,” the OPD said.
The victim was identified as “Tzu-Ta Ko, a 100-year-old, Oakland resident.” Tzu-Ta was a retired Taiwanese government official and turned 100 in November, two months before his wife died, People reported.
Tzu-Ta’s daughter Shirley Ko spoke with KTVU, saying her late father enjoyed walks.
“He’s pretty healthy,” Shirley said. “That’s why we’re very surprised. He walked almost every day.”
“Everybody should learn from him,” Shirley said, referring to her father’s long life. “He lived over one hundred. He exercised. He takes care of himself.”
Police offer reward and ask for public’s help in finding hit-and-run suspect
Two days after the hit-and-run accident, the Oakland Police Department issued a press release asking for the public’s help finding the vehicle. Police posted a photo of the car “wanted in connection with the fatal hit-and-run of Tzu-Ta Ko, a 100-year-old, Oakland resident.”
The vehicle was described as a tan or white Mini Cooper. A reward of up to $10,000 was offered “for information leading to an arrest.”
Police find suspected vehicle and make an arrest
Four days after 100-year-old Tzu-Ta Ko was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver, Oakland police announced they recovered the vehicle they believed was involved in the 7 AM incident.
Police said the suspect they had in custody was a woman who had just gotten off work. Although they received tips, the vehicle had been captured on surveillance in the area, and investigators traced the vehicle back to the woman’s home, ABC 7 News reported.
Authorities say the suspect has no criminal history, and there was no indication of substance abuse in the crash.
“Thanks to our community members and media partners for their help which led to the arrest of the individual,” the Oakland Police Department said, NBC Bay Area reported.
The suspect has not been publicly identified.
