Charges have been filed against two suspects following a deadly hit-and-run incident and commercial burglary in El Cerrito, authorities confirmed. The El Cerrito Police Department, together with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), pressed for prosecution after an investigation into a chaotic series of events beginning with a burglary and culminating in a fatal collision on Interstate 580.

According to a statement released by the El Cerrito Police Department, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office has charged 34-year-old Patrick Owens Scheckells with several counts including murder, driving the wrong way on a divided highway causing injury or death, and driving under the influence causing injury. Scheckells, an Oakland resident, also faces charges of vehicle theft and burglary. Andre Lamar Alberty, 56, of San Francisco, was charged with burglary and grand theft of personal property.

The tragic chain of events started in the early hours of March 19 when a call reported a commercial burglary at Tobacco Outlet located at 10170 San Pablo Ave in El Cerrito. It is alleged that the suspects used a pickup truck to ram the front of the business. An officer located the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop it, sparking a high-speed chase onto westbound I-80 leading toward the Bay Bridge.

After merging with I-580, the suspect vehicle recklessly swerved, traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes. The El Cerrito officer aborted the pursuit due to the danger and exited the freeway. However, the suspects continued their flight, ultimately colliding with two vehicles on I-580, tragically resulting in the death of an motorist. The CHP took over the investigation of the collision, while El Cerrito Police continued to probe the burglary.