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A source close to the investigation tells ABC10’s Gabriel Porras that Stockton City Manager Johnny Ford was behind the wheel when two pedestrians were hit Thursday.
STOCKTON, Calif. — A man is dead and another person was injured after a crash involving a Stockton city official Thursday night in downtown Stockton.
Police say officers who were driving in the area came across the crash scene just before 7:20 p.m. on El Dorado Street near Poplar Street, where a driver allegedly struck two pedestrians. One of the two people died, and the other was taken to a hospital. Officers believe the crash happened on the roadway.
The Stockton Police Department said it has not yet determined the primary collision factor and that the case remains under investigation.
A source close to the investigation told ABC10’s Gabriel Porras that Stockton City Manager Johnny Ford was behind the wheel.
Ford has been on the job for about two months. Police said the driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
At this point, police say DUI does not appear to be a factor in the crash. Neither the city of Stockton nor the city manager’s office has released a statement.
In a statement, Stockton’s mayor said the city extends its concern to all individuals involved and their loved ones.
The crash has renewed concerns among people who walk regularly through downtown Stockton, where El Dorado Street remains busy throughout the day and into the evening.
“It’s a main thoroughfare,” said Mickey Graen, who walks downtown regularly.
Graen believes improvements are needed.
“They definitely need more crosswalks,” Graen said. “There’s a lot of people going from one side to another and back again.”
Another pedestrian, Cynthia Daniel, said the crash was troubling given who police say was involved.
“That’s very bad because you would trust somebody like that,” Daniel said. “They should be paying attention to where they’re going, really.”
Graen said the crash is painful for everyone involved.
“I feel bad for the person that got hit and I feel bad for the person that did it because they probably don’t feel really well right now,” Graen said. “We’re not perfect. We all make mistakes.”
Police later said the injured pedestrian is a 68-year-old man who is doing well and is expected to survive. The Medical Examiner’s Office has not released the name of the person killed.
For people who walk downtown daily, the hope is that changes will prevent future tragedies.
“I wish they would make it safer somehow for everyone,” Daniel said.
Graen pointed to lighting, crosswalks and slower traffic as possible solutions.
“Lighting would be great,” Graen said. “I usually walk in the street because there’s more lighting for the cars than for pedestrians. … Just slow down.”
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