Oakland Advocates Demand CHP End High-Speed Pursuits After Teacher Death

Community advocates in Oakland are demanding an end to high-speed police pursuits by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) within the city, following a deadly chase that resulted in the death of Castlemont High School teacher Marvin Boomer. The fatal incident involved suspect Eric Scott Hernandez-Garcia, who was fleeing CHP officers at speeds exceeding 100 mph before crashing into pedestrians on a sidewalk. Advocates argue that such pursuits put residents at significant risk and call for CHP to adopt the strict pursuit policies currently enforced by the Oakland Police Department (OPD), which restrict chases exceeding 50 mph without higher approval. Despite CHP's claims that officers ceased active high-speed chasing before the fatal collision, community groups criticize ongoing surveillance and pressure to loosen OPD’s cautious pursuit rules, which Chief Floyd Mitchell has proposed with support from Governor Gavin Newsom. Activists stress that high-speed chases do not prevent or solve serious crimes and highlight the disproportionate harm caused to communities of color, urging that public safety policies be based on data rather than reactionary measures. These concerns are being raised ahead of a police commission meeting where OPD’s pursuit policy is under review, with advocates pushing to maintain current restrictions to prevent further tragedies.