Victim Identified: Man in Wheelchair Killed Crossing Martinez Street

A man in a wheelchair who died after being struck by a vehicle Saturday afternoon in Martinez was identified today by the Contra Costa County coroner’s office as 72-year-old Andy Datlen of Pleasant Hill.

Datlen, who died Monday, was found by officers who responded to a hit-and-run reported at 4:12 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Alhambra Avenue and Virginia Hills Drive, according to Martinez police. Datlen was taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek in critical condition.

Martinez police Cpl. Mike Estanol said the man’s family decided not to continue with life support on Monday.

According to posts he made on Genealogy.com, Datlen was born in the U.K. during World War II. After moving to the U.S. about 30 years ago, he worked as a manager at an Oakland software development group.

Estanol said the driver who allegedly hit him, identified as Irene Wong, 76, cooperated with police when she was found and arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run. Wong said she did not see Datlen or realize that she hit someone when she drove off, Estanol said.

Wong’s statement is supported by witness accounts and she has since been released from custody, Estanol said.

He said the case is being sent to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for review.

--Bay City News