Police Bulletin Police Bulletin (October 14, 2005)

Pleasanton man dies in car fire

Blaine J. Nelson, 47, died Oct. 3 when he collided head-on with an oak tree on Foothill Rd. at 10:16 p.m. Nelson's 2002 Mercedes caught on fire and witnesses tried to get him out of the car, but were unable to when the situation became unsafe for them, said California Highway Patrol Officer Steve Creel. Nelson burned to death in the vehicle, Creel said. The fire started prior to the accident on the rear wheel of Nelson's car after he continued to drive on a flat tire, according to witnesses. Nelson was pronounced dead on the scene at 12:10 a.m., said Dan Apperson, spokesperson for the Alameda County Coroner's Office. The coroner's office is currently conducting tests to determine whether drugs or alcohol were a factor in the accident, Apperson said.

Nelson was a Pleasanton resident for 12 years and is survived by his wife of 29 years, Brenda, and two children, Brandon, 20, and Brianna, 16. See Obituaries on page (page #) for more information.

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