In a tragic turn of events in San Pablo, California, a 39-year-old woman, Dene Blakely, is facing murder charges after allegedly striking a 60-year-old pedestrian with her car in what authorities describe as an intentional act of assault.
The incident unfolded on December 8 around 2:30 p.m. on Broadway Avenue. Responding to a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, the San Pablo Police Department discovered the 60-year-old victim with severe injuries.
Emergency services rushed the victim to the hospital, where she underwent critical surgery.
Police investigations quickly revealed that Blakely, the driver, and the victim had engaged in a dispute over the theft of packages. Blakely reportedly believed the victim had previously stolen a package from her residence.
The confrontation escalated on Broadway Avenue, leading to the intentional act that resulted in the victim being struck by Blakely’s vehicle.
The press release did not clarify whether the victim was indeed involved in the alleged theft or if it was a case of mistaken identity. Blakely was arrested at the scene, and on December 12, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged her with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
Tragically, the victim succumbed to her injuries on December 23, prompting prosecutors to upgrade the charges to murder on Friday.
During a subsequent arraignment, a judge set Blakely’s bond at $1 million. She is currently held at the Contra Costa County Jail, with her next court appearance scheduled for January 30, 2024.
The identity of the victim has not been publicly disclosed.
