Arrest made in fatal hit-and-run of bicyclist in Hayward

A Hayward man has been arrested by police in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that killed a bicyclist in the East Bay city last September.

Angelo Tollardo, 36, was arrested Sunday and charged by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office with vehicular manslaughter and felony hitand-run, according to Hayward police.

The crash occurred at about 5:36 p.m. on Sept. 6, near Mission Boulevard and Orchard Avenue, police said. Officers responded to a report of a hit-andrun involving a car and a bicyclist at the intersection. Upon arrival, the officers found the cyclist unconscious and suffering from injuries sustained during the collision, police said.

The bicyclist, who police identified as 55-year-old Christopher Pena, was transported to a local medical facility where he was pronounced dead, authorities said. In a GoFundMe created to help Pena’s family with funeral expenses, Derrick Lobo, Pena’s friend, described Pena as “incredibly smart, friendly and genuine.”

“He was known by all his neighbors and was loved by everyone,” Lobo said. “His family and friends are devastated from his senseless death.” The fundraiser’s page said that Pena was a father of three and had been married to his wife Joyce for nearly 23 years.

Tollardo fled the scene in a car after the crash. Witnesses described Tollardo’s car to police as a gray, early to mid-2000s Mercedes E350 with silver rims. On Sept. 14, police said they found the car, which had been altered, set on fire and abandoned. The car had also previously been reported as stolen, according to police. Authorities eventually connected Tollardo to the incident.

“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,” Hayward Police Chief Bryan Matthews said in a statement. “Their perseverance has been instrumental in bringing justice for Mr. Pena and for his family. 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.”