From the Oakland Tribune 2/18/00:

Emeryville woman OAKLAND -- A 35-year-old Emeryville woman was struck and
killed by a suspected drunken driver while she was crossing the street on
her way to a martial arts class, authorities said Friday. 
Officers responded to the 5600 block of San Pablo Avenue about 7:20 p.m.
Thursday and found Atsuko Nishimura lying on the street with severe head
trauma. 

Nishimura was pronounced dead at Highland Hospital at 8:06 p.m. 

Police said Nishimura was walking east in a crosswalk across San Pablo
Avenue when struck by a 1967 Cadillac DeVille driven by Kenneth Malloy,
56. 

Malloy remained at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of driving
under the influence of alcohol and committing vehicular manslaughter,
Officer James Gordon said. 

Nishimura was struck outside the Hand to Hand Self-Defense Center, where
she was both an instructor and student of martial arts. 

"She was very joyful and buoyant," said head teacher Coleen Gragen.
"Everyone was devastated." 

Nishimura was loved by peers and remembered for strongly fighting for
diversity, Gragen said. 

Nishimura was born in Georgia and lived in New York for some time before
moving to the East Bay. While in New York, she practiced kali, a
Philippines stick fighting art that she later taught at the center. 

The victim was in the process of making a longtime dream come true by
establishing a violence prevention center for youths in downtown Oakland,
Gragen said. 

The police investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked
to call investigators at 238-3156. 



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