After years of looking for him, authorities say the man they believe was behind a deadly 2017 hit-and-run in South San Francisco is now back in the Bay Area to face charges. Maher Abedelal, now 32, was arrested in Israel and returned to the United States, then booked on felony counts of vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run resulting in death, according to county records. He is being held without bail at the Maple Street Correctional Center in Redwood City, and his initial court appearance was scheduled for Wednesday. The victim, 44-year-old Teresa Gonzales, was struck just before midnight on November 11, 2017, while crossing El Camino Real near Hazelwood Drive, authorities said.
The South San Francisco Police Department said in a press release that an extensive investigation led them to identify Abedelal as the driver. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant after learning he had left the country, and officials said he remained at large for years until he was located in Israel. Federal and local partners then worked together to arrange his return, as reported by CBS News.
Extradition and booking
Authorities said Abedelal was transported back to San Mateo County and taken into custody. The Maple Street Correctional Center in Redwood City is one of the county facilities that houses detainees, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
Charges and next steps
Per CBS News, Abedelal was booked last Tuesday on charges of vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run resulting in death and was being held without bail. That first appearance in the San Mateo County court is expected to be the next public step in the case.
Remembering Teresa Gonzales
Gonzales was identified as a 44-year-old South San Francisco resident and a single mother of two who was struck while crossing the 200 block of El Camino Real, according to ABC7. Her family set up a GoFundMe after the 2017 crash to help cover funeral expenses, the earlier coverage said.
Legal implications
The charges listed in the booking are serious under California law. Vehicle Code section 20001 requires drivers involved in accidents that cause injury or death to stop and can carry prison terms when a death results, per California Legislative Information. Prosecutors may also evaluate whether vehicular manslaughter statutes apply as the case develops, per Justia.
South San Francisco police asked anyone with information about the collision to contact the department's tip line, according to ABC7. Court records and filings in San Mateo County will provide more detail as the case moves forward.
