The Alameda County District Attorney has filed misdemeanor charges against San Leandro Police Chief Angela Averiett following a traffic incident in May 2025. Averiett, who has been placed on administrative leave, is accused of failing to properly respond to a collision on Interstate 580 in Dublin.

The May 2025 collision on Interstate 580

The legal proceedings against San Leandro Police Chief Angela Averiett stem from a traffic accident that occurred on Interstate 580 in Dublin during May 2025. According to the Alameda County District Attorney, the misdemeanor charge is tied directly to how the Chief handled the aftermath of the crash. Averiett has publicly defended her conduct, asserting that she did not knowingly leave the scene of the accident. Her defense rests on the claim that the reported damage to the vehicles involved appeared to be minimal at the time, leading to her decision to depart.

Allegations of a private payout to avoid reporting

The investigation into the collision has taken a more serious turn due to claims made by the driver of the other vehicle involved. As the report says, the driver alleged that a San Leandro police lieutenant offered to pay for the vehicle's damages privately in exchange for not reporting the incident. This specific allegation suggests an attempt to circumvent official law enforcement protocols, moving the controversy from a simple traffic error to a question of departmental integrity and potential obstruction.

Sgt. Mike Olivera’s complaint and the departmental morale crisis

Internal stability within the San Leandro Police Department is currently under threat as officers react to the Chief's legal troubles. Sgt. Mike Olivera has filed a formal complaint against Averiett, citing a "troubling pattern" of selective enforcement, concealment of violations, and a lack of accountability. this internal dissent is echoed by union officials,who have expressed concerns that Averiett may have been granted preferential treatment. The resulting atmosphere has reportedly damaged morale, as rank-and-file officers question whether they would be afforded the same leniency in similar circumstances.

A career spanning two decades in Bay Area law enforcement

Before the current misdemeanor charges, Angela Averiett was a long-standing figure in regional law enforcement. Her professional history includes significant tenures with both the Hayward Police Department and the BART Police. Having worked in the Bay Area since 2001, Averiett’s sudden placement on administrative leave marks a significant disruption to a career that has spanned over twenty years of public service.

Who offered the payout and what is the full scope of the investigation?

While the misdemeanor charge is now public, several critical details remain unverified. It is not yet known which specific San Leandro police lieutenant allegedly made the offer to the driver to settle the damages outside of official channels. Furthermore, the investigation has not yet clarified if the "pattern" of misconduct alleged by Sgt. Mike Olivera involves other documented incidents or if it is limited to the May 2025 crash. The department has not yet released a statement addressing the specific identities of those involved in the alleged payout attempt.