Vehicular Manslaughter Suspect in Custody in Lieu of $380,000 Bond
by Jim Emerson
BERKELEY — Nickolaus S. Messina, 66, of Oakland, remains in custody in lieu
of $380,000 bond on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. The
hit and run collision on November 3 resulted in the death of a pedestrian in
Berkeley.
A 64-year-old woman was hit near the intersection of Ashby Avenue and Regent
Drive. The victim was struck shortly after 6:30 p.m. Investigators have yet to
determine, whether she was struck in the roadway, or while walking on the
sidewalk. Paramedics transported her to Highland Hospital in Oakland, where
she later died.
A grey Kia Soul with substantial front-end damage under suspicious
circumstances was spotted several blocks away, and reported to police. Its
license plate number was uploaded by Berkeley PD to the license plate reader
network.
About three hours later the Kia activated a license plate reader. It was detected
at 9:02 p.m., traveling on the Gilman Street on-ramp to westbound Interstate 80.
Berkeley officers intercepted the Kia, as it traveled passed the interchange with
Interstate 580, heading toward San Rafael.
The driver was was placed under arrest at 9:40 p.m., without further incident.
Messina was booked into Alameda County Santa Rita Jail. Berkeley police
credit the license plate reader technology for leading to his quick apprehension.
Besides gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, Messina was booked
for hit and run causing causing death/injury. He was also booked for several
felony and misdemeanor-level DUI/alcohol charges.
