Matthew Fredricksen, 35, has been sentenced to a 19-year prison term after pleading no contest to vehicular manslaughter and felony charges in a calamitous string of events that began with shoplifting and ended in a deadly car accident. According to the Hoodline, Fredricksen and an accomplice were involved in a theft at the Tanforan Center in San Bruno in June 2022, which initiated the tragic episode.
After the shoplifting incident, Fredricksen fled in a stolen 2012 Toyota Highlander. Local authorities, recognizing the escalating danger as Fredricksen sped away, ceased their pursuit in the interest of public safety, a decision prompted by the high speeds reached by Fredricksen. He later ran a red light, causing a collision that killed 59-year-old Mikhail Maalouli, reported the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.
Matthew Fredricksen (35) sentenced to 19 yrs prison. Fredricksen & accomplice shoplifted in Jun '22, fled responding officers at high rate of speed. @SanBrunoPolice ended their pursuit for safety reasons. Fredricksen later struck another vehicle, killing the occupant. pic.twitter.com/wzBTu7bBeK
— San Mateo County District Attorney (@SanMateoCoDA) December 19, 2023
Fredricksen's charges included gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence, causing injury, and fleeing from police, resulting in death. The Mercury News indicated that at the time of his arrest, Fredricksen was found in possession of controlled substances, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, and appeared to be under their influence. His charges also encompassed misdemeanors for possession of a controlled substance and receiving stolen property. Maalouli’s passengers suffered minor injuries, while the individual associated with the initial shoplifting incident was cited and released.
