Fatal Vehicle vs Pedestrian Crash in San Pablo Leads to Homicide

Published on December 30, 2023

San Pablo Police have reported that a package theft altercation tragically resulted in a fatal vehicle vs pedestrian crash, which has now been classified as a homicide. The incident occurred on December 8, 2023.

San Pablo, CA – On the afternoon of December 8, 2023, at approximately 2:27 PM, San Pablo police officers swiftly responded to the 1100 block of Broadway Avenue following reports of a serious injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.

Upon their arrival at the scene, officers discovered a 60-year-old female pedestrian, who had sustained severe injuries. She was immediately rushed to a nearby trauma center, where she underwent surgery in an attempt to save her life. However, despite the medical intervention, the victim’s condition remained critical, and tragically, she succumbed to her injuries on December 23, 2023.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the San Pablo Police Department revealed that the driver of the vehicle involved in the collision was identified as 39-year-old Dene Blakely, who is now considered the primary suspect. It was discovered that an altercation had taken place between Blakely and the victim prior to the collision, which allegedly stemmed from a dispute over stolen packages.

The suspect claimed to recognize the victim as someone who had previously stolen a package from her residence. Consequently, when the suspect encountered the victim walking in the 1100 block of Broadway Avenue, she confronted her. Unfortunately, the confrontation rapidly escalated, ultimately leading to the tragic collision.

Based on the evidence gathered and analyzed by the dedicated officers and investigators of the San Pablo Police Department, the collision was determined to be an intentional act of assault. As a result, Blakely was immediately arrested at the scene without incident. Subsequently, she was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on a felony charge of Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, after careful review of the criminal case, officially filed charges of Attempted Murder and Assault with a Deadly Weapon against Blakely on December 12, 2023. Following the victim’s unfortunate passing, the complaint was amended to include a criminal Murder charge.

Blakely was arraigned on the amended charges on December 29, 2023, and she currently remains in custody at the County Jail.

This ongoing investigation is being actively pursued by law enforcement. The San Pablo Police Department encourages anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and contact them at 510-215-3150.

Background of the Incident

The events leading up to the fatal collision began with the alleged theft of packages from Dene Blakely’s residence. It is reported that Blakely believed the victim to be the same individual responsible for the previous package theft, which sparked the confrontation on that fateful afternoon.

The San Pablo Police Department has not disclosed the identity of the victim, pending notification of her family members. However, it is known that she was a 60-year-old female.

Legal Proceedings

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office played an integral role in the legal proceedings relating to this case. Following an extensive review of the evidence presented by law enforcement, formal charges of Attempted Murder and Assault with a Deadly Weapon were filed against Blakely on December 12, 2023.

Unfortunately, with the victim’s passing on December 23, 2023, the complaint was revised to include an additional charge of Murder.

On December 29, 2023, Dene Blakely was arraigned on the amended charges in court. She is currently being held in custody at the County Jail as the investigation continues.

Appeal for Information

The San Pablo Police Department urges anyone who may possess vital information regarding this incident to step forward and assist with the ongoing investigation. Individuals can contact the department directly at 510-215-3150.

Conclusion

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences that can arise from confrontations and altercations. The San Pablo Police Department continues to work diligently to ensure justice is served for the victim and her family.

As this investigation progresses, further updates will be provided to the public by the San Pablo Police Department.