A police chief in the Bay Area faces hit-and-run charges after allegedly leaving the scene of an accident on a freeway. He claims to have experienced a medical emergency at the time.
This week, the Alameda County District Attorney announced charges against San Leandro Police Chief Angela Averitt. Following the incident, which occurred in May 2025, the chief was placed on administrative leave after making public comments about it and defending his actions.
“I understand you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor related to a traffic accident,” an official said during a press conference. “While driving an unmarked police vehicle on Interstate 580, it’s alleged that you struck another vehicle. The CHP responded but found no grounds for a citation.”
Averitt maintained that he didn’t intentionally flee the scene because the damage was reportedly “minimal.” He shared that he was returning from a city council meeting when he began feeling like he was having a medical emergency.
She mentioned activating the patrol lights on her police-issued Jeep before she exited the highway due to chest pains.
Authorities noted that Averitt was driving in a median when another vehicle collided with his. After the incident, he told CHP officers that his chest pains eventually went away.
Initially, CHP investigators chose not to pursue hit-and-run charges, relying on Averitt’s assertion that he was unaware of a collision, despite evidence of damage to both vehicles.
The other driver, identified as Daffani Ryan, was heading home from a San Francisco Giants game with her family at the time of the accident. Ryan called 911 immediately following the crash.
The situation took a turn when Ryan alleged that a lieutenant from the San Leandro police had contacted her, offering to cover the damages if she agreed not to report the incident.
This lieutenant, Antoinette Turner, is currently serving as Deputy Chief. The incident has raised concerns about internal conflicts within the San Leandro Police Department.
Earlier this year, Sgt. Mike Olivera filed a complaint accusing Averitt of a “troubling pattern” involving a lack of accountability and selective enforcement of the rules.
Mike Raines, an attorney for the San Leandro Police Officers Association, suggested that Averitt might have received preferential treatment. Union officials have expressed concerns about low morale within the department, with officers questioning whether rank-and-file members are treated equally.
Averitt has been involved in Bay Area law enforcement since 2001, previously working with the Hayward Police Department and the BART Police Department.
