Rhea Mahbubani

Nearly 200 People Search Unsuccessfully for 18-Year-Old Whose Car Plunged Into Alameda Creek

Rising dam waters forced emergency personnel on Saturday to suspend their search for a teenager whose Honda Accord plunged into Alameda Creek on Jan. 21. 

Niles Canyon Road in Alameda County was closed till about 4 p.m. as nearly 200 people, including family and friends, scoured the area for 18-year-old Jayda Jenkins. The dam began releasing water making it dangerous for Alameda County crews to continue their search, but nearly 100 other community members stayed in the area longer.

"We want to bring answers and closure to this - whatever that may be," said Tya Modeste. "We want to do whatever we can to bring their daughter home."

Jenkins' car careened off of the notoriously treacherous road last week after she crossed the center divide and collided with another Honda, landing in the creek. 

The quickly moving waters of Alameda Creek have hampered the search thus far although Jenkins' clothes were found Monday. 

Police pulled Jenkins' vehicle from the water Saturday, but the teen's father, Clarence Jenkins, is holding out hope.

"She always takes this road, pretty much," he said.

But, Jenkins said the curve that his child and other drivers missed is a tricky one.

"There probably should be some sort of concern over getting a guard rail in that area - or some sort of restraint - just so this doesn't happen to anyone else's family," he said. 

A black Suzuki also drove into Alameda Creek early Thursday, about a quarter mile west of where Jenkins’ Honda plunged into the water.

A 27-year-old driver from Patterson was traveling westbound on Niles Canyon when he fell asleep and woke up to find himself crossing the yellow lines. He over corrected, sending his car into the creek, according to the CHP. However, the man was able to escape alive.

Crews pulled the man's car from the creek on Saturday.

A Caltrans study indicates that safety improvements are needed at the curve where both cars wrecked and then fell into the water. 

"You can get caught off guard very easily by how sharp the turn is," Clarence Jenkins said. The family plans to pick up where they left off on Sunday.

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