Healthcare Union Workers in Northern California lost one of their colleagues on Wednesday, February 26, in Oakland, California.

The Oakland resident met his demise while riding his motorcycle shortly before 6:50 p.m. on Wednesday. The accident occurred when an SUV drove into him as he rode his motorcycle, at the intersection of Claremont Avenue and Clifton Street

According to the NUHW, the 61-year-old Clement Papazian was also a significant union leader.

Sal Rosselli, speaking for the union, revealed that the deceased was president of the union’s Mental Health Clinicians Bargaining Unit and described him as “our number one rank-and-file leader.”

According to Rosselli, the Kaiser Permanente licensed clinical social worker co-founded the National Union of Healthcare Workers.

The president also said the union was devastated by the loss as “it will be difficult to replace Clement’s knowledge and expertise.”

Investigations ascertained that the crash occurred when Clement’s motorcycle was struck by an oncoming vehicle.

According to the report, the 2017 Ford Expedition vehicle made a left U-turn at the intersection at Clifton Street before colliding into Papazian’s 1975 BMW Motorcycle. By the time paramedics reported at the scene, Papazian was already dead.

A 26-year-old resident of Berkeley is said to be the man driving the Ford. The driver, whose name was undisclosed, was said to have remained at the scene of the accident and assisted the investigators. At this time, it is unclear if alcohol or substance abuse played a role in the accident.

Papazian will be sorely missed by the union, who has also promised to release a tribute video for him.

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