Fire hydrant, dislodged by SUV, kills pedestrian
From Times staff and wire reports
An Oakland man died after being struck in the back of the head by a 200-pound fire hydrant that was sent flying when a sport-utility vehicle crashed into it, police said.
Humberto Hernandez, 24, was walking with his wife Thursday evening when a 2007 Ford Escape blew a tire and swerved onto the sidewalk, striking the hydrant, police said.
Water pressure and the impact of the crash sent the hydrant flying like a bullet, said Phil Abrams, an Alameda County deputy sheriff.
Hernandez was hit in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife was not hurt.