Toni Clark, 17: Disappeared After Car Accident
A stalled vehicle and a car accident are at the center of the case involving Toni Clark. We often find that when teenagers go missing, police immediately suspect they are a runaway. Many teens’ cases go under-investigated, but for Toni, the authorities are left with several theories.
The mystery began on March 16, 1990, when Toni Clark traveled from her cousin’s residence to her home in Oakland to San Francisco, about 25 miles away. The 17-year-old was having car trouble—the vehicle, which belonged to her boyfriend, wasn’t turning over properly. Before she left her cousin’s, the Chevrolet Camaro gave Toni grief, but she managed to get it up and running.
However, when she came to the Bay Bridge, the vehicle once again stalled. Quickly, things turned dangerous when another car hit the Camaro just ahead of midnight. The Charley Project reported it only took six minutes for police to arrive at the accident scene. Yet, Toni Clark was missing, and there was little evidence to point to her location.
What Happened to Toni Clark?
The first order of business for investigators was to determine whether or not Toni accidentally fell into the water. Search and rescue instantly looked to the waters below. The Coast Guard became involved as they helped drag the Bay, but Toni Clark was not found. Upon inspection, the Camaro showed no signs of blood or hair. Moreover, the teen was known to wear a gold bracelet that she never went without. That piece of jewelry was located on the passenger side floor next to the keys to the Camaro.
Toni was known as a responsible high school senior. She reportedly ran track, liked to dance, and enjoyed swimming. Because there weren’t signs that she fell into the bay, police turned their attention to the man involved in the accident on the bridge.
The investigation into the man who hit Toni Clark’s vehicle is unclear, but prosecutors believed they had enough evidence to try him for vehicular manslaughter. However, nothing showed that Toni was deceased, and later, the man was acquitted of all charges.
About a week after Toni vanished, her concerned mother received a disturbing phone call. There was a girl on the other end who sounded as if she was crying. Toni’s mother stayed on the line with the girl for approximately 40 seconds before it was disconnected. Unfortunately, the police could not locate the origins of the call.
Conflicting speculative accounts
Reports state some witnesses claimed they saw a Black man searching under Toni’s vehicle. There wasn’t anyone who could confirm they saw Toni falling over the bridge, and several people claimed they saw a man leaving the scene.
It seems many believe she washed away in the water beneath the bridge. Yet, some insist that a stranger kidnapped the petite teen.
At the time of her disappearance, Toni Clark stood 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 110 pounds. She has black/dark brown hair and brown eyes. Both of her ears are pierced. Toni had a mole on her right calf and a light scar on her right knee. She also had a gap between her upper central incisors. Toni was last seen wearing a black tube top with lace, black linen shorts, a light blue jean jacket, white loafers, and a gold ring. Her middle name is “Danielle” or “Danieelle.” The Doe Network reports she was two months pregnant when she vanished.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the San Bruno Police Department at (650) 616-7100. The agency case number is 90031715.
Please share this story about Toni Clark to help reignite interest in her missing person case. She is our sister, and her life matters.
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