A woman who attended a candlelight vigil in Sacramento for Stephon Clark on Saturday evening (March 31st) was hit by a sheriff's car, as shown in a video obtained by CNN.
The bystander, who was carrying a "Stephon Clark Rest in Power" sign, was crossing in front of the vehicle while signaling the driver to stop. Prior to impact, the deputy inside the SUV was captured telling her "back away from my car" before accelerating and striking her. The woman was taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries.
“The vehicle just sped off. It was a hit and run,” said Guy Danilowitz, a legal observer for the National Lawyers Guild who shot the video. “They didn’t even stop to see how she was doing.” The woman, later identified as Wanda Cleveland, spoke to the Sacramento Bee just after she was released from the hospital. “If I did that I’d be charged. ... It's disregard for human life."
The following morning, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department released a statement saying, "The collision occurred while the patrol vehicle was traveling at slow speeds." They concluded by giving an update on the vehicle, saying it "sustained scratches, dents, and a shattered rear window" due to vandalism and not the collision itself. A spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol said an investigation into the incident is currently underway, but wouldn't confirm whether or not this is being categorized as a hit and run.
The death of Stephon Clark, who was shot eight times by police while unarmed, is picking up steam in the national media. Former Sacramento Kings player Matt Barnes led a rally on Saturday (March 31st) in Clark's honor where he announced that he is starting a college scholarship fund for Clark's two sons. "I'm in the process of starting a Clark boys college scholarship fund to make sure these boys go to college," Barnes told the crowd.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg has issued a statement asking the community to work together through nonviolent civil action "as we pursue justice and demand reform."
