Man indicted in hit-and-run that killed boy, injured mother
OAKLAND — A 37-year-old man has been indicted on multiple charges, including felony vehicular manslaughter while driving while intoxicated, in connection with an Aug. 19 hit-and-run crash in East Oakland that killed a 17-year-old girl and injured her mother, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday.
The suspect, August Mathias of Oakland, also faces misdemeanor charges of DUI causing injury, driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, leaving the scene of an accident, hit-and-run driving and operating without a license, according to a release from the district attorney's office.
Matias was arrested Aug. 19 and released several days later pending further investigation, including a blood-alcohol level check, authorities said, though they did not disclose the exact level.
A $230,000 arrest warrant was issued for him.
According to authorities, 17-year-old Mardenia Carrillo Lopez and her 46-year-old mother were in a crosswalk at the intersection of the 7200 block of International Boulevard and Havens Court Boulevard around 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 19 when they were allegedly struck by a vehicle driven by Matias. Authorities said Matias had been fleeing the scene of an earlier crash.
Matias continued driving after hitting the girl and her mother, but crashed his car a few minutes later in the 8400 block of International Boulevard and was arrested by Alameda County sheriff's deputies.
According to the GoFundMe post, Mardenia is “originally from Guatemala and recently moved to Oakland.”
“Maldenia was a beloved daughter, sister, classmate and community member,” the post read. As of Thursday afternoon, $6,820 had been raised, well above the $5,000 goal, to cover funeral expenses, medical costs for the family and the cost of transporting her body for burial in Guatemala.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce that my office has charged an individual with extremely reckless driving that tragically resulted in the loss of a young life. My condolences go to the family. No parent should ever have to lose a child in such avoidable circumstances,” District Attorney Pamela Price said in a statement announcing the charges.
“Our hearts go out to them during this incredibly difficult time. This case is a stark reminder of the dangers of drink driving and reckless driving – a preventable crime that takes lives, devastates families and needlessly puts all of our lives at risk. This outrageous behaviour will not be tolerated on the streets of our city,” Price added.
