ALAMEDA — Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan, 72, a trailblazing Asian American politician, died Wednesday after she was hit by a car on the city’s South Shore, authorities said.
In a statement from Chan’s office, staff said Chan had been walking her dog Maggie when a vehicle struck her. She was taken to Highland Hospital in Oakland, where she was pronounced dead at 2:30 p.m after life-saving efforts from medical staff.
“During her 30-year career in public service, Supervisor Chan had been a staunch advocate for children, families, the elderly, affordable housing, and health care for the uninsured,” the statement read in part.
“She is survived by two children and two grandchildren. The family thanks the first responders and medical staff that provided wonderful care to Supervisor Chan, and they request privacy at this time.”
Chan represented the county’s District 3, which includes Alameda, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Hayward Acres, part of Ashland and part of Oakland.
She was first elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1994, and then served in the California State Assembly from 2000 to 2006, becoming the first Asian American person to hold the position of Assembly Majority Leader when she took that role from 2002 to 2004.
Alameda Fire Department firefighters responded to reports of a traffic collision shortly after 8 a.m. at Grand Street and Shore Line Drive.
Police said officers came to the scene for a report of a vehicle-pedestrian collision and that the driver who struck Chan stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
The statement also said an ongoing investigation would lead to police, public works and transportation planning staff reviewing the site “to discuss any potential safety interventions.”
Officials around the Bay Area and beyond weighed in with their condolences and respects Wednesday.
“The tragic passing of Supervisor Wilma Chan has shocked and saddened us all,.” fellow supervisor Nate Miley said. “Out of respect for her family, we are reflecting on this loss and in grief.”
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan,” Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said. “Her decades of service to the community, championing health care, affordable housing and support for families, has touched the lives of many. Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this time.”
“Supervisor Chan, an Alameda resident, was a longtime dedicated public servant who served the residents of Alameda for more than two decades as a former State Assembly Member, and Speaker of the Assembly, and on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors,” said Alameda mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, who offered “deepest sympathy” from city councilmembers and residents in a statement.
“Supervisor Chan was a tireless advocate for seniors, children, and families, promoting programs that advance children’s health, and help lift people out of poverty, and so much more. Her compassion, strong sense of community, and devotion to the people she served will be profoundly missed.”
East Oakland councilmember Noel Gallo described Chan as a committed advocate for her community, particularly championing the rights of children and women.
“She was super committed to the young people, especially young women and young minority women who needed representation and support,” Gallo said. “She was a strong advocate for standing up for young women, which I appreciate having three daughters of my own.”
Gallo described her as an accessible leader who was always available.
In her years on the Board of Supervisors, Gallo said, Chan has been a leader in helping guide the region through COVID-19. “I valued her leadership,” he said. “She will be greatly missed.”
State Sen. Nancy Skinner said in a statement that “my heart is broken by the news of Supervisor Chan’s passing in this awful tragedy, and my deepest condolences to the Supervisor’s family. This is a true loss for all of the Bay Area.
“Wilma Chan was an absolute trailblazer and a decades-long champion for those in need. She spent her entire career in public service fighting to better the lives of low-income families, children, and seniors. And she was passionate about expanding health care and protecting Californians, especially families of color, from environmental toxins. This is such a devastating loss.”
BART Board Vice President Rebecca Saltzman said: “Today we lost Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan, an incredible leader for children and families. It’s unacceptable that our streets are too dangerous to take a dog out for a walk. We must make our streets safer for everyone.”
Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley said in a statement: “Supervisor Chan was a north star for so many important issues that served the vulnerable in our community. She was a champion, for example, of All In Alameda County, which addresses food insecurity and address issues of poverty. Her influence and commitment to her community and Alameda County will be greatly missed.”
“I am saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Supervisor Wilma Chan,” Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern said. “She was a strong supporter of our community policing programs to reduce incarceration, poverty, addiction and homelessness. Her leadership and support of these programs will continue to change lives and are part of her lasting legacy of community service. I send my sincere condolences to her family, friends, supporters and our Alameda County community.”
“Wilma Chan’s death is a major loss for the community and everyone she reached in her many years of public service. Our deepest condolences go out to Wilma Chan’s family and loved ones,” the Sierra Club’s San Francisco Bay chapter said. “Our streets must be made safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.”
“I am heartbroken to hear of the sudden and shocking killing of Supervisor Wilma Chan, a tireless champion for progressive causes and health equity and access,” Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin said. “It was my honor to work with and learn from Wilma and she will be dearly missed.”
“She dedicated her life and career to public service, and we are grateful for her leadership,” the Oakland A’s said. “This is a tremendous and tragic loss for our community.
One community group, Bike/Walk Alameda, said they were “very saddened to hear of yet another fatal collision on Alameda’s streets. … We extend our deepest condolences to (Chan’s) family and loved ones at this very difficult time.
The group, said Chan was killed near “a high-injury intersection in Alameda’s Vision Zero Action Plan,” meant to “reduce serious crashes in Alameda to zero by 2035.”
Check back for updates. Staff writer Harry Harris contributed to this report. Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.
Source: www.mercurynews.com