A traffic incident that began with an attempted vehicle stop by the Regional Sideshow Enforcement Team ended in tragedy Saturday night when an SUV collided with a parked car on Bancroft Avenue, killing one passenger and critically injuring the driver. The collision occurred just minutes after the white Infiniti SUV allegedly fled from officers at East 14th Street and Bancroft Avenue, despite law enforcement’s decision not to pursue the vehicle in the interest of public safety. The fatal collision underscores the devastating consequences that can result when drivers choose to evade law enforcement, even when officers exercise restraint by discontinuing active pursuit.
Details of the San Leandro Fatal Collision
The fatal accident occurred at approximately 11:17 p.m. in the 13800 block of Bancroft Avenue in San Leandro. According to the San Leandro Police Department, officers from the Regional Sideshow Enforcement Team initially attempted to stop a white Infiniti SUV at the intersection of East 14th Street and Bancroft Avenue due to multiple suspected vehicle code violations.
The SUV allegedly fled from the traffic stop, prompting the sergeant involved to deactivate his patrol lights and siren rather than pursue the vehicle. An Alameda County Sheriff’s Office helicopter then monitored the SUV’s movements from above.
Shortly after fleeing the initial stop, the SUV driver lost control and crashed into an unoccupied parked vehicle on Bancroft Avenue. The force of the impact proved fatal for the front-seat passenger, who was pronounced dead at the scene from their injuries.
Injuries and Medical Response
Emergency responders transported two other occupants of the Infiniti SUV to local hospitals following the collision:
- The driver sustained critical injuries and remains hospitalized in serious condition
- A rear-seat passenger suffered injuries requiring medical treatment and was transported to a hospital for care
The quick response of emergency medical personnel provided immediate care to the survivors, though the front passenger could not be saved despite their efforts. The severity of injuries sustained in high-speed collisions with stationary objects often proves catastrophic due to the sudden deceleration forces involved.
When a vehicle traveling at significant speed strikes a parked car, occupants experience extreme g-forces that can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal organ trauma, and severe bone fractures. The front passenger, positioned closest to the point of impact, likely absorbed the greatest force of the collision, explaining the fatal outcome despite the presence of modern safety features like airbags and seatbelts.
Critical injuries sustained by the driver may include chest trauma from steering wheel impact, head injuries, internal bleeding, and orthopedic injuries requiring surgical intervention and prolonged hospitalization. Even the rear passenger, positioned furthest from the impact zone, sustained injuries serious enough to require emergency transport, possibly including whiplash, concussion, rib fractures, or soft tissue damage.
San Leandro Fire Department paramedics and Alameda County Emergency Medical Services personnel would have triaged victims at the scene, providing advanced life support measures including airway management, hemorrhage control, and spinal immobilization before transport to designated trauma centers. The fact that multiple agencies responded suggests the severity of the collision scene required substantial emergency resources and coordination to provide optimal care to all victims simultaneously.
Law Enforcement Investigation into the Fatal Wreck
The investigation into this fatal collision involves multiple agencies working to piece together the sequence of events that led to the tragic outcome.
The California Highway Patrol is serving as the lead investigating agency for the fatal collision itself, examining factors such as vehicle speed, road conditions, and the mechanics of the crash. CHP investigators will reconstruct the accident scene to determine exactly how the SUV collided with the parked vehicle.
The San Leandro Police Department is conducting a parallel investigation focused on the traffic violations that prompted the initial attempted stop. Their investigation includes:
- Determining what specific vehicle code violations officers observed
- Investigating the driver for suspected driving under the influence (DUI)
- Reviewing the circumstances of the attempted traffic stop
- Examining whether proper protocols were followed when the decision was made not to pursue
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office helicopter unit will likely provide aerial surveillance footage that captured the SUV’s movements between the attempted stop and the fatal crash, which could prove crucial to understanding the driver’s actions.
The Regional Sideshow Enforcement Team’s Role
The Regional Sideshow Enforcement Team that initiated the traffic stop represents a coordinated effort by multiple Bay Area law enforcement agencies to address the dangerous and disruptive phenomenon of illegal street racing and sideshow activity that has plagued the region in recent years.
These specialized units are trained to identify vehicles associated with sideshow activity and enforce traffic laws designed to prevent these dangerous gatherings. Officers on these teams are also trained in pursuit policies designed to balance public safety with the need to apprehend violators—explaining why the sergeant chose not to pursue the fleeing SUV and instead relied on helicopter surveillance.
Understanding Fleeing and Eluding Charges in California
When a driver fails to stop for law enforcement and flees, they may face serious criminal charges under California Vehicle Code Section 2800.1, which makes it a misdemeanor to willfully flee from a pursuing peace officer. If the flight involves reckless driving that causes injury or death, charges can be elevated to felonies under Vehicle Code Section 2800.3.
In this case, if the driver survives their injuries, they could potentially face:
- Felony evading, causing death
- Vehicular manslaughter
- DUI causing injury or death (if toxicology results support impairment)
- Multiple vehicle code violations
These charges carry substantial prison sentences, particularly when a death results from the defendant’s conduct.
Legal Rights After a Fatal Traffic Collision
When someone dies in a traffic accident caused by another driver’s negligence or criminal conduct, the victim’s family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim. These civil cases are separate from any criminal prosecution and allow families to seek compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support that the deceased would have provided
- Loss of companionship, love, and guidance
- Medical expenses incurred before death
- Pain and suffering experienced by surviving family members
In cases involving DUI or fleeing from police, the defendant’s insurance company may attempt to deny coverage based on exclusions for intentional or criminal acts. An experienced personal injury attorney can navigate these complex insurance issues and fight to ensure families receive the compensation they deserve.
California law provides a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims, meaning families must file their lawsuit within two years of the date of death or risk losing their right to compensation.
GJEL Accident Attorneys’ Approach to Fatal Collision Cases
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we understand that no amount of money can truly compensate for the loss of a loved one. However, we also know that families facing unexpected funeral expenses, lost income, and an uncertain future need experienced legal advocates who will fight for their rights.
When a family loses someone due to another driver’s reckless decision to flee from police or drive under the influence, they deserve answers and accountability. GJEL accident attorneys have spent decades representing families in these tragic circumstances, and we’re committed to ensuring that those responsible are held fully accountable while securing the maximum compensation available under the law.
Our firm has recovered over $1 billion for injury victims and their families throughout California. We handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning families pay no upfront costs and we only collect attorney fees if we successfully recover compensation on their behalf.
Understanding Settlement Values in Fatal Collision Cases
Every wrongful death case is unique, and settlement values depend on numerous factors, including the deceased person’s age, earning capacity, relationship with survivors, and the specific circumstances of the crash. Cases involving aggravating factors such as DUI or fleeing from police often result in higher settlements due to the defendant’s egregious conduct.
Factors that influence wrongful death settlements include the victim’s life expectancy and earning potential. A younger victim with decades of working years ahead typically results in more serious economic damages than an elderly retiree, as the family has lost many more years of financial support. Courts consider the deceased person’s salary, benefits, career trajectory, and advancement potential when calculating economic losses.
Non-economic damages—including loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support—are also substantial components of wrongful death settlements. When children lose a parent, these damages reflect the irreplaceable loss of parental guidance throughout their developmental years. In cases involving particularly reckless conduct, such as fleeing from police while intoxicated, juries may award punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior, thereby significantly increasing the total settlement value. The strength of liability evidence, the quality of legal representation, and the defendant’s insurance policy limits all play crucial roles in determining final settlement amounts.
The Dangers of Fleeing From Law Enforcement
This tragic incident highlights the deadly consequences that can result when drivers choose to flee from traffic stops. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, police pursuits result in hundreds of deaths each year across the United States, with many victims being innocent bystanders, passengers, or the fleeing drivers themselves.
Modern law enforcement agencies have increasingly adopted policies that limit high-speed pursuits except in cases involving violent felonies, recognizing that the risks to public safety often outweigh the benefits of immediately apprehending traffic violators. In this case, the San Leandro Police Department’s decision to discontinue active pursuit and rely on helicopter surveillance represented an attempt to balance enforcement with safety—though tragically, the outcome demonstrates that even these precautions cannot always prevent determined drivers from causing harm.
How Fatal Car Accident Settlement Calculators Work
Fatal car accident settlement calculators serve as valuable initial tools for families trying to understand the potential compensation they may be entitled to pursue in a wrongful death claim. These calculators use specific inputs—such as the deceased victim’s age, annual income, number of dependents, life expectancy, funeral expenses, and the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash—to generate an estimated settlement range based on similar cases and established legal precedents.
The calculator applies formulas that account for economic damages such as lost future earnings (calculated by multiplying annual income by the remaining work-life expectancy), benefits the family would have received, and out-of-pocket expenses, including funeral and burial costs. It also attempts to quantify non-economic damages, such as loss of companionship, parental guidance, and emotional support, though these are inherently more difficult to quantify because they involve subjective factors, such as the closeness of family relationships and the victim’s role within the family unit.
In cases involving egregious conduct—such as DUI, fleeing from police, or reckless driving—the calculator may factor in potential punitive damages that courts award to punish particularly dangerous behavior. While these calculators provide helpful preliminary estimates that can give families a general sense of their case’s potential value, they cannot account for every unique variable, including the specific jurisdiction’s precedents, the skill of legal representation, insurance policy limits, the defendant’s assets, and the persuasive power of evidence presented.
That’s why the estimates generated should be viewed as starting points rather than definitive predictions, and families should always consult with experienced wrongful death attorneys who can evaluate the nuanced details of their specific case to provide more accurate assessments of potential recovery amounts. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with our experts.
Our Commitment: No Fees Unless We Win Your Case
“When a driver makes the reckless decision to flee from police, everyone in that vehicle becomes vulnerable to catastrophic harm through no fault of their own. If you were a passenger injured in a crash caused by someone else’s choice to evade law enforcement, you have legal rights—you are a victim, not a co-conspirator. Similarly, families who have lost loved ones in these tragic circumstances deserve both answers and accountability. At GJEL, we understand that you’re dealing with profound grief, mounting medical bills, and an uncertain future. Our firm has spent over five decades fighting for victims of reckless driving, and we know how to hold negligent drivers accountable while navigating the complex insurance issues that arise when criminal conduct is involved. You don’t have to face this alone, and you shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for someone else’s dangerous decisions. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on healing and honoring your loved one’s memory.”— Andy Gillin, Managing Partner, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If your family has lost a loved one in a traffic collision involving a fleeing driver, DUI, or other negligent conduct in San Leandro or anywhere in the Bay Area, the wrongful death attorneys at GJEL Accident Attorneys are here to help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your legal options and answer your questions about the claims process.
With offices throughout California and a track record of success spanning more than 50 years, our firm has the experience and resources necessary to take on complex fatal collision cases against insurance companies and their teams of defense lawyers.
Contact us today at +1-866-218-3776 or visit our Oakland office to schedule your free consultation. Remember, we work on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we win your case.
Resources for San Leandro Accident Victims and Families
Families dealing with the aftermath of a fatal collision in San Leandro can access support and information through the following resources:
San Leandro Police Department
901 E. 14th Street, San Leandro, CA 94577
Non-emergency: (510) 577-2740
Emergency: 911
Records Request: (510) 577-2740
sanleandro.org/police
The San Leandro Police Department provides collision reports, investigative updates, and referrals for victim assistance. Families can request copies of traffic collision reports through their Records Division.
California Highway Patrol – Hayward Area Office
7900 Oakport Street, Suite 200, Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 777-4500
24-Hour Dispatch: (510) 538-3011
chp.ca.gov
As the lead agency investigating this fatal collision, CHP provides detailed accident reports, investigative findings, and traffic safety information. Request collision reports online through their website.
Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau
480 4th Street, Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 382-3000
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
acgov.org/coroner
The Coroner’s Bureau handles death investigations, autopsy reports, and death certificates. Families can obtain official cause of death determinations and related documentation.
Alameda County Sheriff’s Office
1401 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA 94612
Non-emergency: (510) 667-7721
alamedacountysheriff.org
The Sheriff’s Office helicopter unit monitored this incident and can provide surveillance documentation. Contact their Public Information Office for assistance with inquiries.
Eden I&R (Information and Referral Services)
24-hour crisis and referral hotline for Alameda County residents
2-1-1 (from within Alameda County)
(800) 273-6222 (toll-free)
Text your zip code to 898-211
edenir.org
Provides free, confidential information and referrals to community resources, including emergency assistance, housing, food, mental health services, and legal aid.
Alameda County Victim/Witness Assistance Program
Alameda County District Attorney’s Office
1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 300, Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 272-6180
Victim Services Hotline: (510) 272-6222
alcoda.org/victim-services
Provides free support services to crime victims and their families, including crisis intervention, court accompaniment, assistance with victim compensation claims, and referrals to community resources.
California Victim Compensation Board
P.O. Box 350, Sacramento, CA 95812-0350
(800) 777-9229
victims.ca.gov
Provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime and their families for expenses including funeral/burial costs, medical treatment, mental health counseling, lost wages, and rehabilitation.
Eden Memorial Counseling Center
22209 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, CA 94546
(510) 537-1989
edenmemorial.org
Offers grief counseling, bereavement support groups, and trauma therapy for individuals and families coping with sudden loss.
Bay Area Legal Aid
1735 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 250-5270
Legal Advice Line: (800) 551-5554
baylegal.org
Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents of Alameda County, including help with victim rights, insurance claims, and estate matters.
California Department of Motor Vehicles – Oakland Office
5300 Claremont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618
(800) 777-0133
dmv.ca.gov
Handles driver record requests, license suspensions related to fatal collisions, and vehicle registration issues.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590
Vehicle Safety Hotline: (888) 327-4236
nhtsa.gov
Provides vehicle safety information, recall notices, and crash statistics. Families can report vehicle defects that may have contributed to the collision.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) – Bay Area Chapter
24-Hour Victim Helpline: (877) 623-3435
madd.org
Offers emotional support, victim advocacy, and assistance navigating the criminal justice system for families affected by drunk driving crashes.
Support Network for Crisis Response Services
Alameda County 24-Hour Crisis Line: (800) 309-2131
crisissupport.org
Provides immediate crisis intervention, emotional support, and mental health referrals for individuals experiencing trauma or grief.
Social Security Administration – Oakland Office
1265 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612
(800) 772-1213
ssa.gov
Families may be eligible for survivor benefits if the deceased was eligible for Social Security. Schedule appointments to discuss benefit eligibility.
Alameda County Superior Court – Hayward Hall of Justice
24405 Amador Street, Hayward, CA 94544
(510) 891-6000
alameda.courts.ca.gov
Handles civil wrongful death lawsuits, probate matters, and provides access to court records related to criminal proceedings against the driver.
