Man killed by flying fire hydrant

2007-06-21 23:18:00 PDT OAKLAND -- A pedestrian taking a stroll along an Oakland sidewalk was killed Thursday when a car lost control and struck a fire hydrant, which flew into the victim's face, authorities said.

The man, identified by the Alameda County coroner's office as Humberto Hernandez, 24, of Oakland, died at the scene at 6:08 p.m., 18 minutes after he was struck.

Hernandez was walking on the 900 block of 98th Avenue with his wife and was about 12 feet away from the fire hydrant when he heard the crash and turned to look, said coroner's investigator Damon Wilson.

The car struck the hydrant and sent it flying at Hernandez.

It was unclear whether the driver was cited in the crash.