Officer Elmer E. Norgren, 38, was assigned to the Oakland Police Department’s Traffic Bureau as a motorcycle officer. While issuing a citation to a speeder at Van Buren and MacArthur Boulevard, he and the offender made their way to the rear of the stopped vehicle.

While they were talking, a vehicle swerved towards them. Unable to get out of the way, the two men were struck by the wayward vehicle. Norgren sustained major head injuries and suspected internal trauma. He died several days later on January 15, 1943, at Merritt Hospital.

The driver of the vehicle suffered minor head wounds. He was arrested and charged with negligent homicide. It was determined that he had been drinking at the time of the collision. A review of his driving record revealed several drunk driving arrests, a hit-and- run arrest, and a host of vehicle code violations.