Police are looking for the driver of a dark-colored sedan who struck and killed 45-year-old Italy Batchelor near the intersection of 8th Street and Mandela Parkway this afternoon.

Police received a call about the crash at 12:42 p.m., said officer Michael Cardoza, the Oakland police supervisor at the scene. The intersection was shut down in all four directions. Mandela was closed at 7th Street.

Police described the car as a newer model four door sedan, dark blue or black in color, possibly a Lexus. The car has fresh damage from the crash to the right front bumper, hood and windshield. The driver was described as a dark-complexioned black male.

By 2:45 p.m., Batchelor's body had not been removed from the southwest corner of the intersection, where it was covered with yellow and red plastic sheets that blew in the gusty wind. Officers inspected the crime scene, taking pictures of evidence that had been strewn through the street in the crash: one light brown boot, an earring, pieces of clothing.

Police said Batchelor was crossing 8th when a car heading east failed to stop. She was pronounced dead at the scene by AMR ambulance personnel and the Oakland Fire Department.

Neighbors said they knew exactly who Batchelor was, though they didn't know her name.

"She was always at the store right there," said Jade Williams, 26, who lives nearby. "A little bitty lady in a long brown coat. She's like a lamp post here. She's not supposed to go nowhere."

Williams said the woman was always "ranting" or sweeping up outside the corner convenience store. The victim was 5 feet tall "on a good day," with a short perm and a low, raspy voice.

"Even though she was really small, you couldn't miss her. She'll cuss you out but she meant no harm to anybody," Williams said. "She was out here everyday like clockwork. If you didn't see her, something was wrong."

Williams has lived in the neighborhood for just a year, but said, from what she knew, the crash victim had been there all her life.

"She would always say, 'I am West Oakland,'" Williams said, adding that the last time she saw the woman was two days earlier when she stopped at the corner store to buy laundry detergent. "She said, 'Y'all stay safe, and have a blessed day.' This place won't be the same without her."

Police ask anyone with information about the crash to call officer Michael Cardoza at 510-777-8648.

Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case. Anyone with information may call police at 510-777-8612 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572 or 510-777-3211.