PLEASANTON – An East Bay community was in shock after a solo vehicle crash killed a family of four, including two children under 15, on Wednesday evening.
Friends of the family stopped at the crash site on Foothill Road in Pleasanton on Thursday to mourn the loss.
The crash happened on Foothill Road near Stoneridge Drive in Pleasanton around 9 p.m.
A neighbor told KPIX the family was on their way home after visiting friends. Something happened that caused the driver to veer off the road, hit a pole and crash into a tree.
Friends of the family stopped by the crash site Thursday to mourn the loss. Hasan Shiekh was one of many friends who visited the crash site with flowers in hand.
“It’s really sad and tragic to see and hear this,” Shiekh said.
He said he had worked with one of the victims who died in the crash for five years.
“It’s very shocking,” Shiekh said. “He’s a very nice person. Always energetic and always a pleasure to work with him and have conversations with him. We’ve always had a lot of conversations.”
Friends, neighbors and children who went to school with one of the children also paid their respects at the crash site. Pleasanton police have not released the names of the victims, but say they were a mother, father and their two children. The Pleasanton Unified School District says both children were students – one in high school and the other in elementary school.
John Roderigs lives near the crash and recalled hearing and seeing the crash.
“Just popping noises and we looked outside and we saw fire,” he said.
Roderigs wonders how this crash could have happened. He has noticed aggressive drivers on this stretch of Foothill Road.
“Every night we hear cars driving really fast on that road,” Roderigs said. “We’ve lived here for ten years and it’s been a problem ever since.”
Friends describe the family as very social and active in the community. The father enjoyed outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing.
“Great father, great colleague. Overall a good person,” Shiekh said.
Police say they are investigating what caused the accident and expect to provide an update on Friday.
