Today, 35-year-old Matthew Fredricksen pled no contest to charges of vehicular manslaughter and related felonies. The charges stem from an incident in June 2022 where Fredricksen fled in a stolen vehicle after a shoplifting incident and subsequently caused a fatal collision.
The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office stated that Fredricksen had shoplifted from the Tanforan Center in San Bruno and escaped in a stolen 2012 Toyota Highlander. A police officer tried to stop him but eventually discontinued the attempt due to safety concerns as Fredricksen was driving at high speed. Fredricksen later ran a red light and collided with another car, resulting in the death of 59-year-old Mikhail Maalouli.
Matthew Fredricksen (35) pled no contest to vehicular manslaughter & related felony charges. June '22, he fled the mall after shoplifting, failed to yield to arriving officers, who ended pursuit due to public risk. He then ran a red light, struck another car, killing the driver. pic.twitter.com/oAfdok3ioV
— San Mateo County District Attorney (@SanMateoCoDA) October 4, 2023
The Mercury News reported Fredricksen faced numerous felony charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of a drug causing injury, inflicting serious bodily injury, hit and run driving causing death or injury, receipt of a stolen motor vehicle, and fleeing a pursuing peace officer's motor vehicle causing death. Additionally, he was charged with possession of a controlled substance and receiving stolen property valued under $950, which are misdemeanors.
At the moment of his arrest, Fredericksen was found to have fentanyl and methamphetamine in his possession and seemed to be under their influence. The passengers in Maalouli’s car sustained minor injuries, whereas the shoplifting suspect was cited and released.
