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(KRON) — A 36-year-old Hayward man was arrested and accused of causing a deadly hit-and-run crash. Angelo Tollardo was booked into jail Sunday on charges including vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run.
The victim, 55-year-old Hayward resident Christopher Pena, was riding his bicycle on Sept. 6, 2023 when a car crashed into him near Mission Boulevard and Orchard Avenue, police said. Pena died soon after at a local hospital.
The driver fled the scene before Hayward Police Department officers arrived.
“The driver of the involved vehicle fled the scene at a high rate of speed. It was believed the driver was the sole occupant inside the car at the time of the collision,” HPD wrote.
Pena is survived by his wife and three children, ages 16, 19, and 21, according to a GoFundMe page. “On Wednesday, September 6, Chris Pena, an avid bike rider, was doing what he loved best, riding his bicycle,” the page states.
Witnesses described the suspect vehicle as a gray Mercedes E350 with silver five spoke rims. The vehicle was believed to have major front-end passenger side damage.
Eight days after the crash, police found a Mercedes engulfed in flames and abandoned. Police determined that the Mercedes had been stolen prior to the crash. “Officers identified Tollardo as the man they believed to be responsible,” HPD wrote.
Police Chief Bryan Matthews said on Tuesday, “I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to our dedicated Traffic Bureau for their hard work, commitment and diligent efforts in identifying, locating, and apprehending the man believed to be responsible for this tragic incident. To the Pena family, please accept my sincerest condolences. While this arrest cannot erase the pain you are experiencing, our hope is that it may serve as a small step toward healing. May you find some measure of comfort knowing our thoughts are with you as you continue to navigate your grief.”
Pena’s sister previously told KRON4, “It’s strange to be in the world without him here. He was such a rock for all of us.”
The deadly crash happened while Tollardo was out of jail on bail, inmate records show. He also has a previous auto theft conviction. He is currently behind bars without bail, according to inmate records.
Tollardo is scheduled to be arraigned in the East County Hall of Justice on Wednesday.
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