San Leandro police chief placed on leave after being charged in 2025 hit-and-run collision on Interstate 580
San Leandro Police Chief Angela Averiett has been placed on administrative leave after being charged in a 2025 hit-and-run collision, authorities said on Wednesday.
The San Leandro City Manager's Office said in a press statement on Wednesday afternoon that Averiett had been placed on leave after Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson announced the charge earlier on Wednesday. Jones Dickson said her office charged Averiett with a misdemeanor hit-and-run violation stemming from a collision on the evening of May 19, 2025 on eastbound Interstate Highway 580 near I-680 interchange in the Dublin-Pleasanton area.
Before Jones Dickson announced the charge against Averiett at a press conference, Averiett held her own press briefing on Wednesday to defend herself.
""I want to be clear," said Averiett. "I did not knowingly leave the scene of a collision."
Averiett said she was driving home from a city council meeting in an unmarked patrol car and began to experience chest pains. When she turned on her emergency lights and drove past traffic along the center median, she apparently clipped mirrors with another vehicle.
"At the time of this incident, I was attempting to get off the freeway as quickly as possible because I was experiencing what I believed to be a medical emergency," said Averiett. "Thankfully, the issue turned out to be a minor but understandably unsettling thing at the time."
Averiett admitted she did not call 911 about the medical issue, and did not seek immediate medical care when she exited I-580.
According to the DA's office, the driver of the other car involved called 911 and gave dispatchers the license plate number of the chief's Jeep SUV. California Highway Patrol officers came out and made a report, but it wasn't forwarded to the DA's Office for charges at that time.
Jones Dickson said Wednesday her officer only learned about it on April following media reports and requested the report on the initial investigation from the CHP. After receiving the report in mid-April, there was sufficient probable cause to file a misdemeanor charge against Averiett, Jones Dickson said.
"When we received that information it really was through the media," said Jones Dickson. "We did not receive a police report regarding this information until we asked for it from the California Highway Patrol."
Averiett said she plans to defend herself against the charges and wants to continue as chief of police. She was appointed as police chief in June 2024 after serving as the Los Altos police chief. She has also served at the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, Hayward Police Department, and BART Police Department.
"I came here to ensure a culture of accountability," said Averiett. "It starts with me, and I will continue to lead, and I will continue to hold people accountable including myself."
San Leandro Assistant Police Chief Luis Torres will serve as acting chief as the city worked to identify an interim police chief, the city manager's office said.
Averiett's arraignment was scheduled for June 18 at the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin.
The maximum punishment for a misdemeanor hit-and-run under California law is six months in county jail and a $1000.00 fine.