Home Oakley Updated: Oakley Police Identify Bicyclist Killed in Accident on Main Street

Updated: Oakley Police Identify Bicyclist Killed in Accident on Main Street

by ECT

At 1:03 pm Sunday, the Oakley Police Department responded to a traffic accident that killed a bicyclist on Main Street between Empire and Teakwood Drive  where a truck pulling a trailer hit a bicycle. The bicyclist was declared dead on scene and had covered the body.

Oakley PD identified the bicyclist Monday morning as 62-year-old Robert Allen Montalbano.

The accident closed Main Street for about 8-hours on Sunday between Empire and Teakwood and police are still investigating if alcohol or drugs played a roll in the accident.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the photos are graphic that some of my readers may find disturbing please use viewer discretion. 

Nate Anderson from East Bay Freelance Photography has also provided photographs from this incident.

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59 comments

Christine Jun 9, 2013 - 3:04 pm

First of all I want to say Thank You and I really appreciate this site and the up to date info you provide.But I do have to comment that I think some of the photos did not need to be shown.Was it really important to show all his personal items scattered,or his foot sticking out.I think it was tragic enough without showing that.I hope none of his loved ones found out by seeing those photos.Prayers for them and may he Rest in Peace.

Joan Jentzen Pratt Jun 9, 2013 - 10:35 pm

I agree Christine…These photos did NOT need to be posted and yes these photos do affect the victims family/loved one! See my post below…

Lilianne Brooks Jun 10, 2013 - 1:05 pm

I agree Foot was a little much for me !

Julio-Antioch Jun 9, 2013 - 3:12 pm

My prayers for everyone.

Jake Jun 9, 2013 - 3:58 pm

Nothing is wrong with the photographs. Yes they are emotional but the victim cannot be identified. Maybe now people can realize what police, fire, emts and other public safety officials deal with everyday. At least you didn’t see the face like those on scene did or those who witnessed this sad event. I say great job Burk in not sugar coating the news. If anything, people will not take safety for granted going forward on a bike on Main Street.

My prayers are with the family.

Joan Jentzen Pratt Jun 9, 2013 - 10:52 pm

Just wait til this happens to someone you love…Wake up Jake! No you don’t see the victims face here, but believe me, his family/loved ones see it in their minds quite well and this is a scene THEY WILL NEVER FORGET!!! We as the public are well aware of what the police, EMT’s, fire fighters etc “deal with everyday.” But remember, this is their CHOSEN vocation which they would not have chosen if they couldn’t “deal” with it. I don’t believe we as the public should be shown everything. I’ll bet you can’t wait to see the pics of the 22 children shot to death at their school either, because the press is fighting to show that too, regardless of the pain it will cause their families.

eastbayfreelancephotography Jun 9, 2013 - 5:06 pm

As sad as this is, we are just reporting what is happening all around us. We are not sugar coating or putting a spin on anything, this is life…and with that…comes death. Photos don’t lie and are graphic in nature. I commend you Mike for sticking to your guns and sharing the real world with everyone!

Teri Jun 10, 2013 - 10:43 pm

you did a good job! people din’t have to look if they didn’t want to see it was posted that it was Graphic’ Keep doing your job and know that the family appreciated finding their loved one no matter how they found out. My Heart does go out to the family

jake Jun 9, 2013 - 5:16 pm

Just one more example to keep your eyes on the damn road .. What a tragedy.

EVCsBrother Jun 9, 2013 - 5:25 pm

One of these days they will cite or arrest the two bit photographer for obstructing an investigation. It is only a matter of time. Try being a little more sensitive. Graphic photos can be toned down a bit. For those police, fire, emts and other public safety officials that do not want to deal with this, quit. People break laws and accidents will happen. It is sick that people want to promote their agenda on the tragedy of others.

burkforoakley Jun 9, 2013 - 5:32 pm

Obstructing an investigation? Really EVCBrother or should I use your real name?

ECV Jun 9, 2013 - 6:27 pm

@ my eternal wannabe brother,

You honestly want us to believe you speak for law enforcement? Then you go on to call the people that help and host this site “two bit”?

You are entitled to your opinion but not your own (fabricated) facts.

Please stop being a dick. You can achieve that goal best by keeping your yapper shut unless you have something remotely intelligent to say. So far you haven’t met that MARK.

Making up BS rules (opinion) which only exists in your twisted mind shows your level of competence.

Take your own advice loser. Quit.

Closer to well done after the lightening last night Jun 10, 2013 - 1:27 pm

You’re a dick too. We all are sometimes.

Joan Jentzen Pratt Jun 9, 2013 - 10:54 pm

Thank you EVCsBrother…Well said! I agree 110%

Teri Jun 10, 2013 - 10:45 pm

who iis ugly, you didn’t post why you looked when you know it was going to be disturbing? WOW

Joan Jentzen Pratt Jun 11, 2013 - 12:33 pm

If that question is posed to me as to why I looked or saw the pics, I belong to a fb group who posted that Empire Rd was closed the day of the accident and a link to the story as to why. The pics were embedded in the body below the story which you could already see when the story came up. There was a “disclaimer” written above the pics but the photos were already right there on my screen in plain view. You also had to fly passed the photos to read the comments below which I wanted to read for further information. If they had to show a few of the less disturbing photos, fine. Then asked: for further photos click here, coupled with the disclaimer. That would have been a better option.

TJS Jun 9, 2013 - 8:47 pm

This is terrible news. Somewhere, people are grieving tonight. Nevertheless, I agree that it’s important to show what happens in life and what first responders are called on to deal with. Our media tend to sanitize grisly events by withholding the more graphic photos, even as some reporters run around to family members rudely asking “how do you feel?” These photos are an important reminder of the hazards of riding a bike (I’m an avid cyclist).

moe Jun 9, 2013 - 9:48 pm

I had never seen this site, before today. A link to this story was actually sent to me by my sister, who lives several hours from here. I was nevertheless appreciative, as I can’t stand watching the news, and Oakley hardly ever shows up anyway. I always wonder what’s going on out here, when I hear sirens and helicopters, but I can never find anything. Now, there is a place for local news, sad and ugly as it may be, without the dramatics and speculation of newscasters. Speculation is not news. Although the story didn’t say how the accident occurred, it didn’t speculate about it either. I imagine there will be some sort of follow-up as the facts come to light.

Joan Jentzen Pratt Jun 9, 2013 - 10:30 pm

Why do you put these tragic photos up for all to see? This is a person DEAD laying in the street for Christ sake! HAVE SOME RESPECT!!! Can’t you think of this persons family and how they will feel seeing this publicly??? Believe me, I know…You put the terrible pics up of my son’s death and I was horrified! He was killed at Laurel Rd & Empire in Sept 2012. I came across the photos of his burned crushed car along with the yellow tarp across the seat shielding his dead body from view. It made me sick and utterly horrified! No warning, just BANG! There is was…Hit between the eyes with it. I was going to let the fact that your pics of my son which was such a violation of his and our privacy go unaddressed, but after you posted these, now I know for sure you are scum and are only interested in profiting from others pain and misfortune! You should be ashamed!!!

burkforoakley Jun 9, 2013 - 10:50 pm

@ Joan,

Please check your facts, your sons accident was not covered on this site. I believe the only time I’ve mentioned your sons accident was to raise awareness of distracted driving. No photos were posted of his accident.

Joan Jentzen Pratt Jun 9, 2013 - 11:22 pm

I stand corrected. They weren’t actually posted on your site. I ran across the pics by accident, and the photog linked back to your site. You do use Nathan Anderson’s photos who states he takes them to sell to the media. That’s profit from others pain! As for trying to raise awareness of distracted driving, thanks for the attempt. Why hasn’t there been any attempt to follow up on my son’s accident regarding the arrest of the driver and what’s been going on in the courts because of this case and many other cases involving distracted driving accident’s. Guess it’s not a hot enough topic. All the pics of this accident still should not have been shown. Please remember, these accident victims are people who have family, friends and loved ones who care about them. The pics will be in their memory for ever!

Luwana Adair Jun 10, 2013 - 6:47 am

Joan – I am so sorry about the loss of your son. I did not witness his accident but came up on the it before the tarp went up. I had my then 13 year old daughter in the car and I told her to close her eyes. It is a image we will never forget and can’t imagine the family ever wanting to see pictures.

I have seen your signs up looking for witnesses and have wondered why the media does not follow what is happening now. The media only wants the tragedy but never does the follow up. Perhaps if the media covered the follow up of what the families and driver are now dealing with, it would may help prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again.

i think of your son and your family often even though I have never met you. I could never imagine the pain that this has caused you and hope that someday your heart begins to heal.

May God be with you and your family.

Joan Jentzen Pratt Jun 11, 2013 - 12:15 pm

Thank you Luwana for your kind words. It means a lot! I’m so sorry you and your daughter came upon the accident scene. I’m sure it was a terrible sight! Even though I wasn’t there, I see it in my mind and the pics I came across didn’t help either. Which was my point.

It was not my intention to call attention to my tragedy. I was only trying to convey my experience of how seeing the pics of my son’s death affected me and my family. It no doubt effects other families of tragedies as I’m sure it will this bike rider’s. I believe the media gets so wrapped up in their “reporting” they disconnect with their human side and fail to realize that some aspects of the accident need not be reported or shown in respect to the deceased and their family. I think they should think about that and
that was my point.

Sorry to have to use this venue, but just as a quick follow up to my story, I have tried to get the media to cover the court happenings and the continuing story regarding my son’s case as I want people to understand how driving distracted and the collisions/fatalities they cause affects the victims and their families and there are legal consequences. I have chosen to not let my son’s death be in vain. If I can prevent another death and the pain to brings to their loved ones by calling attention to the dangers of distracted driving, then my son’s death will have some purpose. I’m guessing the story is old news, but I will keep trying to make a difference till my last breath.

I would like to ask you to please take the Joe Pratt Pledge to not text, use a cell phone or be distracted while driving. The life you save could be your own or someone’s love one.

Thanks again for your blessing and kind words.

Carole Ondek Jun 10, 2013 - 7:25 am

Mrs. Pratt: this is not the venue for this but it’s an opportunity for me to let you know that I drive that corner of Laurel & Empire everyday and I pray for you
and your family. I am reminded of the importance of focused driving and how we cannot get distracted by outside sources. I have children the age of your son. My heart breaks for you. I also know the mother of the other driver. I couldn’t bear that either. I’ve told my children that life can change or end in an instant. They MUST pay attention. The loss of your son is tragic beyond words! There is no sense to it. You deserve all the attention to this matter that can be justified. I pray that one day you will feel some sense of peace in your soul.

Joan Jentzen Pratt Jun 12, 2013 - 7:25 pm

Thank you Carole!

eastbayfreelancephotography Jun 10, 2013 - 10:00 am

@Joan

I feel for your loss and am truly sorry you lost your son. Please get your facts straight before you accuse me of “Selling to Media”. I have never profited or sold images to anyone. I am a freelance photographer, which does mean I could sell, but I choose not to. Again, I am sorry for your loss and wish there was something to help you with closure of this tragic event. As a photographer, I realize that there will be critiques and upset individuals, but I only photograph what is public and and share for the public to see. Everything I photograph is legal and within my 1st Amendment rights.

Joan Jentzen Pratt Jun 12, 2013 - 8:41 pm

Mr. Anderson,

It’s obvious you have never lost anyone dear to you. Closure? Tell me… What is that?

I lived my whole life for my children and my husband. My children gave me purpose and meaning to my existence. Now a huge part of my life, a part of ME has been ripped away. My husband without a son, my daughter without a brother who now must walk the path of life alone after her father and I are gone. And why? Because someone else put their self, their needs, their desires before the safety and well being of another, which just happen to be my son’s safety! How do I live with that? Closure you say…There is no such thing.

I will carry this pain to my grave coupled with the pain you have caused by putting the horrible photos of my son’s death on-line for me and my family to stumble across. I had no warning, no time to mentally prepare for the shock of it…Just BAMM! There they were. You will never know how many times a day the image of my son’s death pops in my head and the pain I feel because of it!!!

You need to know what you do and how you do it affects others. I will NEVER FORGET those terrible images that were forced upon me as I’m sure the family of this man’s will not and that was the point I tried to make.

Rob Saw Jun 9, 2013 - 11:20 pm

Burk won’t admit this but and he will probably delete this comment but he had worse photographs he could have posted and didn’t. Before you slam him, notice there were two photographers on scene with a leg hanging out. Maybe Oakley PD should have better covered the body.

The work EastCountyToday does should be applauded because its the only real reporting in east county. The photographs likely saved other bikers as they see what could happen if they don’t make safety a top priority no matter what road they are on.

If your offended by these photos, this site may not be for you. But I find them to be mild.

deb Jun 10, 2013 - 4:16 am

I find these photo’s to be educational and raise awareness. Bicycling in traffic is dangerous and these pictyres are proof of how dangerous. Bicycles don’t belong on the roads with big heavy metal cars..

D.Montalbano Jun 22, 2013 - 11:32 am

Really?????Well I hope and pray that this is not the education you want to LEARN about if it was your FAMILY so u keep learning little DEB” GOD BLESS MY BROTHER he doesn’t have to read or listen to such smart and educational people who are so AWARE of the circumstances!!!!

D.Montalbano Jun 22, 2013 - 12:10 pm

Oh Debbie I forgot to ask did u go to the same big metal cars school as ROB???

D.Montalbano Jun 22, 2013 - 11:55 am

Ya know rob I find it very interesting that you find that because Burk or this other camera man(cause that’s all they really are body snatchers ) that maybe we should THANK THEM for showing the BLOODY close ups of MY BROTHER YES MY BROTHER!!! GET A FREAKEN GRIP.I have a question to YOU and ALL the know it alls on this page about how they know exactly how he died. DO YOU KNOW IT WAS HIS FAULT or are u assuming this cause trailers never go over the lines they shouldn’t . Or that a lot of them don’t responsabily use sway bars to help keep in lines even with winds 40 miles an hr. We know we have one and we do everything possible to be safe. Oh Rob I’ll put in a good word for any of u who think this photos are educational,and anything else you think you’ve learned. Oh yea I forgot I’ll put in a few words of how (god forbid)I think photos of this nature are so helpful to the families and loved ones for your family god forbid this NEVER HAPPENS TO ANY OF YOU

Julio-Antioch Jun 10, 2013 - 8:20 am

“Bicycles don’t belong on the roads with big heavy metal cars.” If everyone on the road followed the law there would not be a problem.

Thank you Burk and photographer. Hopefully the photo’s will prevent one more accident.

drew925 Jun 10, 2013 - 11:45 am

Millions of people bicycle safely on public roads. But many are scared away because motorists sometimes pass too closely, honk, or tell cyclists to get off the road. Though these behaviors are not the most common source of injuries to cyclists, they are unsafe and illegal. The traffic law says that drivers must pass at a safe distance. When a travel lane is not wide enough to share, safe bicyclists move to the middle of the lane to insure that motorists use the next lane over to pass or wait until it is safe. Cyclists who ride too close to the edge of the road are risk colliding with suddenly-opening doors of parked cars or falling due to hazards such as sand, poor pavement, or debris. Motorists can help prevent crashes with cyclists by taking care to follow the rules on yielding and turning. Make sure to yield to cyclists when turning left or entering the road from a side street, driveway, or parking lane. Merge completely to the far right edge of the road in advance of making a right turn. Wait for any bicyclist ahead to clear the intersection before you make a right turn — do not turn across the path of the cyclist. Even if there is a bike lane, you should merge into the bike lane before turning right. http://bicycledriving.org/public-awareness/motorists-should-know

D.Montalbano Jun 22, 2013 - 12:03 pm

ANOTHER INTELLIGENCE PERSON HEARD FROM . Is that all you have ???? Hmmmm where might you have found that statement, let’s see now!! Got it NO WHERE !!!! The only way accidents are gonna slow down is if the PEOPLE IN THOSE “BIG METAL CARS LEARN TO PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE SO MANY DON’T GIVE A “SHIT”.

Alisha Jun 10, 2013 - 11:06 am

Thank you so much for this article. My husband and I were looking at these pictures last night to see if this was him. Robert was on his way to our house, we hired him to paint our house. He didn’t show up and then we saw the scene on Main St we knew it wasn’t good. I looked just now to see if he has been identified and it is confirmed that he is the man we hired to paint our house. Such a terrible thing, he was a nice man. May he rest in peace and I pray for his family during this time.

davidloveslife Jun 24, 2013 - 11:57 pm

Thank You for the post Alisha………Thank for your respect for my brother’s life. I knew you were caring people when I met you.
David Montalbano

Lilianne Brooks Jun 10, 2013 - 1:26 pm

I love this cite , I think its great that we can know faster than the news what is going on around us !I did post that the picture of the foot was a little much for me , but after reading every single comment lol I must say , I agree with a lot of people , police probably should have covert more , on the other hand they had so much to worry about including dealing with other cars, and people watching , I was there minutes before the accident and passed by minutes after , its is really tragic still unclear of what really happen , but what makes me really sad after reading all this is that more people seem to care about the photographer ( no offense ) than the victim , lets not forget someone lost his life! Joan I did not see pictures of your son , I do see the accident site almost everyday and my little man ( he is 4 ) talks about him every time we pass by , very very sorry for your lose and I agree coming across pictures would be devastating however blaming the wrong person for it is not right ! I am sure you are dealing with extreme pain and assuming it is probably the cause of your comment . I think the guys on this cite are doing a great job at keeping us up to date and in doing so they are helping everyone including the police , I get notifications on my facebook and therefore we know not to go this place or that place and by doing so we are not adding to the scene of an accident , fire , and whatever is going on ! so all this to say , this is what they do and people need to understand if you don’t like it you don’t have to ,just don’t look at their page ! Stop the bickering and think about the people involved . My 2 cents 🙂

greasemykey Jun 10, 2013 - 5:18 pm

life is tough wear a helmet

Friend of Family Jun 12, 2013 - 8:08 am

What a cold statement. A helmet would not have helped.

Joan Jentzen Pratt Jun 12, 2013 - 7:27 pm

I agree with Friend of Family…A very heartless, thoughtless comment!

D.Montalbano Jun 18, 2013 - 1:09 pm

Look greasemykey yes people should wear helmets but what killed My Brother is The Trailer Ran Over His Chest so now how much do u know . Get your freaken facts right!!!

davidloveslife Jun 25, 2013 - 12:01 am

YOUR an idiot! A helmet will not save a person from being run over by a 30ft 5th wheel. YOU should have your ass kicked!
David Montalbano

FAMILY Jun 10, 2013 - 5:44 pm

I HOPE NO ONE ELSE IN MY FAMILY SEES THESE. THIS IS A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY FOR US AND OUR HEARTS ARE BREAKING.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO THOSE WHO EXPRESSED THEIR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS.

TO WHOEVER POSTED THESE PICTURES: YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO BOB WAS OR THE TYPE OF PERSON HE WAS. WHOEVER MADE THE REMARK ABOUT HIM “TAKING FOR GRANTED” A RIDE ON A BICYCLE ON MAIN STREET — AND BIKES ON THE ROAD WITH BIG METAL CARS— WE HAVE A HUGE POPULATION OUT THERE RIDING BIKES FOR TRANSPORTATION. WE ALL LIVE HERE TOGETHER.

PERHAPS YOU PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR AS YOU “TAKE FOR GRANTED” THE RIGHT YOU THINK YOU HAVE UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO POST THESE WITHOUT DISCRETION OR CONSIDERATION FOR HIM OR HIS FAMILY. EVER HEARD OF “ETHICS?”…IT’S WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER CARNIVORES OUT THERE — MORALITY….SENSITIVITY….

IT’S A SHAME THE WORLD WE LIVE IN NOW FEEDS OFF OTHER PEOPLE’S SORROW. MAY GOD FORGIVE YOU.

Darlene Jun 10, 2013 - 9:06 pm

I’m very sorry for your family’s loss. I would be devastated if my loved one was photographed like this man was. Although I appreciate getting news right away and being informed of what’s happening in our area. I do think some thought needs to go into being sensitive. You don’t have to sugar coat reality to be sensitive and preserve the persons dignity.

Joan Jentzen Pratt Jun 12, 2013 - 7:48 pm

Dear Family.

I’m the mother of the young man killed at Empire and Laurel Rd in Sept 2012 and this photographer took terrible pics of my dead son too and put them up for me to stumble across. I was so, so, angry and sickened. It felt like a violation. From what I understand, this guy Nathan Anderson chases all the tragedies in town and despite what he says, he must make something off of what he does or he wouldn’t do it. I did see a statement either on his webpage or this site that he does try to sell to the media. He hides behind the 1st amendment as he stated in a post above and calls it news.

I am so very sorry this jerk has caused you pain as he did me. It’s bad enough to lose a love one. I felt victimized by the death of my son and by the insensitivity of the so called media in the name of news. Sorry you had to suffer the same.

I offer my sincerest, heartfelt condolences on your loss of Bob.

Joan Jentzen Pratt Jun 12, 2013 - 8:05 pm

Lastly, this is what is posted on this site regarding the photographer Nathan Anderson:

“Mr. Anderson runs the website East Bay Freelance Photography. His bread and butter is taking action shots from police and fire activity.”

So Mr. Anderson, looks like you do profit from your pics!

davidloveslife Jun 25, 2013 - 10:20 am

Joan,
I can truly understand what you have been through. our family has such an empty feeling a true loss of part of our hearts and lives…….If you hear anything please write me? I live in San Francisco but will stay very close to my parents and Bobby’s heart.
Thank You and God Bless your life and your son.
David Montalbano
[email protected]

Laura Jun 10, 2013 - 9:34 pm

My heart goes out to the family.I am sorry.Yes Mike you should have blurred them out.How would you feel if this was your children.I know if this was my family member or someone i know it would have a huge impact on us.Your doing great work but the pictures are morbid even though you don’t actually see the person you know the pain he must of suffered.Also the pain of the person who hit him.

lilianne Jun 11, 2013 - 5:58 pm

I think if the family ask that they are removed then they should be ! many people different opinions but family is family and their wishes should be respected , Again really sorry for your loss

Back to Medium Rare AND once again seeking honor in East County Jun 11, 2013 - 9:14 pm

Very sorry for your loss, our sympathies go to you and your family.

The question again I have with the addition of grisly pictures, is what value is added to the story? The actual news itself that Michael B brings to East County is a worthy addition to our community, as is the discussions he opens. This blog/news site will always be hampered by the seedy addition of some of the photos he posts here. He and others argue freedom of the press, and I say, so be it, it’s their right. I fought for that right. But, sometimes when you need to put a tack in the wall, a hammer is overkill. Lately, that tool gets pulled out of the toolbox more and more on ECT.
But, the content itself is very worthy and helpful to our community.

Friend of family Jun 12, 2013 - 8:06 am

I know they family and they stumbled onto the photos. How can that be OK? Please take down the photos? No one needs to see these pictures as they serve no purpose. Just some ghoulish pictures and some mumbling about the right to post them. What about the rights of the victim and their family? Thing about how you would feel if that was your son, brother or father. You may have the right to post them but, have the heart to take them down. Please!

Medium Rare in East County Jun 12, 2013 - 4:45 pm

The rights of the victim and their family were not violated. See my post above, sure, they add no real intrinsic value to the story, but you nor does anyone else in this country have any right to not have public photos of themselves placed in the public eye. Just ask Matthew Snyders father, the supreme court affirmed that the Westboro Baptist Church had the right to picket and protest at his funeral and any other funeral they wished to protest as well (Snyder v. Phelps).
You don’t have a right to decorum or good taste.
While I don’t find the photos to enhance in any way the story, I do support the right to post them, as I support all of our rights that are protected in the Bill of Rights. BTW… you prolly should be careful where you go on the internet if this bothers you, there is much worse out there.

D.Montalbano Jun 18, 2013 - 1:25 pm

Well well medium rare can’t put your real name up against the hot air that comes out of that hole in your face no matter if this cite helps the community how does pictures of MY YES MY BROTHERS FOOT AND ALL THE HORRIBLE PICTURES THIS SO CALLED FREELANCER PUT OUT THERE FOR MY FAMILY AND MY POOR MOM & DAD TO SEE.Remark on his site if it ever happens to u (god forbid)and I’ll be happy to comment!!!!!! His older sister . D Montalbao

Medium Rare in East County Jun 23, 2013 - 8:47 am

My sympathies for your loss, I hope you can somehow find peace. I’d never put my name up for grabs, too many people with no capacity to control their anger and then go out and act on it violently. If you actually read any of my comments, you’d see that I advocate for less graphic photos on this site, and for blurring out the faces. I’ve said it more than once. I also swore an oath so support and defend the constitution. I don’t get to decide what free speech is, any more than the rest of us.
Again, my heartfelt condolences to your family.

Eastside Fire Photography Jun 12, 2013 - 10:18 pm

I would like to start by saying sorry to the family for their loss.
As a freelancer myself I have taken photos at accidents for several years. After looking at this site and the comments I believe the site host should have removed some of the photos from here. To me it appears that the primary person with this site took the close-up photos of the victim. Yes the other East Bay Freelance Photographer took some photos as well. The primary photographer from this site took the “Close up shots” of the victim as well as the belongings. The Eastbay Freelance Photographer did photograph the victim from a distance. I have had photos removed from major news outlets when only one viewer complains which should happen if a person sees a photo as effecting them in a bad way. I do not know if these photographers have received compensation for the photos in this story. I do feel that the site host should have some general guidelines on photo removal policy when they receive a complaint. If I were to get this many complaints on the photos I would narrow down the photos or remove all of them. The report is also in need of improvement. The emergency services would never put a “Bag” over a victim. They do cover the victim so the media can not identify the victim immediately. I would like to know if the site photographer talks to the emergency personnel for his story or if he “wings it” from scanner traffic and reports by other news agencies.

In closing the Site host needs to resolve this by removing the photos the viewers classify as graphic.

burkforoakley Jun 12, 2013 - 10:45 pm

Thanks for the input, I’ll take it under advisement. No one has received any compensation for any photographs. Thanks for the laugh on “winging it”.

D.Montalbano Jun 18, 2013 - 1:51 pm

I want to thank Eastside Fire this is Roberts sister at least you have morrows. Everybody says great site and maybe it helps the community in some ways but I want you burkforoakly on how you have amazingly taken a massive tragedy and made it so much more of a heartache then it already is.How is this possible My sister went to read the article and the pictures were right there she threw the phone across the room she lives in CANADA u DICK !!You have a job and with that job comes grief but go back and learn Sensitivity, Morrows, Class, and pride in what you do not how much gross shit you can put out there. Anyone can take these pictures death is always around but you wait burkforoakly someday some you love will be gone and then you will be ale to see graphite pictures of a loved one,and if it doesn’t brother you well that is the sadest of all because people with no feeling , no heart will surely not be missed they are no different then the KILLER them selves. I could go on but I’ve really already wasted my precious time on a insensitive no excuse for a man or a camera man because that’s about all you are.

davidloveslife Jun 25, 2013 - 12:12 am

I would like to ask anyone that was the scene and seen ANYTHING PLEASE CONTACT ME! i WILL NEVER MENTION YOUR NAME! ALL I KNOW IS I WAS AT THE SITE 2 DAYS LATER AND WITHIN 15 MIN TWO BUSSES CAME AROUND THE BEND AND WERE AT LEAST TWO FEET INSIDE THE BIKE LANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE CONTACT ME IS YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION OR SEEN ANYTHING THAT CAN HELP THE CASE???????????
[email protected]

THANK YOU
DAVID MONTALBANO

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