On Saturday afternoon, June 2, 1950, Officer James S. Weir, 33, was assigned as the second officer on an Oakland Police Department ambulance. When a call was broadcast reporting a robbery in progress and shooting on 28th Street, Weir and his partner sped southbound on West Street with their red light shining and siren screaming.

The police ambulance entered the intersection of West and MacArthur Boulevard at the same time as another responding police vehicle. The two cars collided, and Weir was thrown from the ambulance. He head struck the curb and died instantly.