OAKLAND — Vehicular manslaughter and nine other criminal charges have been filed against a man who allegedly killed another driver Monday while trying to elude Oakland police after he was accused of brandishing a gun in a hit-and-run crash, according to authorities and court records.
The suspect, Jonathan Hernandez, 23, of Oakland, was scheduled to enter a plea Wednesday morning. He was being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail.
Hernandez was charged with five felonies in the Monday morning collision that killed a man identified in court documents as Agustin Coyoti Contreras.
In addition to the count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, Hernandez was also charged in the fatal crash with evading an officer causing death, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person and possession for sale of a controlled substance.
Charges filed against him in the hit-and run collision last Friday where he allegedly brandished a gun at another driver were: misdemeanor brandishing a firearm, and four felony counts including making criminal threats, child abuse, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the records.
Police had been seeking Hernandez on a warrant stemming from the hit and run collision when officers spotted him about 6:30 a.m. Monday in East Oakland.
Officers tried to stop him but he drove off and a vehicle pursuit began. Police pursued Hernandez, who was driving a 2021 Honda Accord, to the intersection of 69th Avenue and San Leandro Street, where he collided with a pickup truck driven by Contreras. Contreras, 44, of Oakland, died at the scene.
Hernandez, who did not suffer any major injuries, was arrested at the scene. A gun was found inside his car, police said.
Chief of Police LeRonne Armstrong said earlier this week the police chase appeared to be within department policy because Hernandez was wanted for a violent felony and had earlier brandished a firearm.
Under department protocol, the officers involved in the pursuit have been placed on administrative leave while investigations are conducted by the homicide and internal affairs divisions and the Community Police Review Agency, the investigative arm of the civilian Police Commission.
The hit-and-run collision Hernandez was being sought for happened about 4 p.m. Oct. 14 at the intersection of 73rd Avenue and International Boulevard. Police said Hernandez hit a vehicle in front of him and when that vehicle’s driver got out, so did Hernandez, who brandished a gun at the other driver and racked its slide.
No shots were fired and Hernandez fled in his car before police got to the scene. According to the court records, a child was in Hernandez’s car at the time.
According to the court records, Hernandez has a May 2019 felony conviction in San Mateo County for-first degree residential burglary, for which he was placed on probation.
Source: www.mercurynews.com