An Algerian man was charged over the weekend for a fatal hit-and-run collision at San Francisco International Airport last summer, according to District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
Okul Othmane, 47, has been charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and three counts of felony hit-and-run, but has yet to be arrested as he remains in Algeria, Wagstaffe said. A $75,000 warrant for his arrest has been issued.
Othmane’s lawyer on Tuesday is expected to argue his client should be given zero bail based on the temporary statewide bail schedule aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus by limiting jail populations, Wagstaffe said. That rule has since been lifted throughout the state, but has been extended to July 1 in San Mateo County.
“My prosecutor will oppose that and ask that the $75,000 arrest warrant remain out,” Wagstaffe said of the defense attorney’s anticipated request.
The incident occurred on July 1 last year after Othmane arrived at SFO with his family. While loading a rental car, an airport official told Othmane to move along, which agitated him, Wagstaffe said.
Othmane allegedly panicked and drove into the car in front of him, causing it to spin 180 degrees in the opposite direction. The crash killed a 34-year old man and caused serious injuries to the victim’s wife and father-in-law, Wagstaffe said.
Othmane allegedly fled the scene with his family in the car and apparently returned to Algeria before prosecutors connected him to the crime.
Wagstaffe said Othmane has been charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter because “there’s no gross negligence, we think he panicked and it wasn’t intentional.” Othmane faces a potential prison sentence of five years and four months.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
Poetry Without Borders 2026 is an annual poetry contest for youth of all ages. It is being j… Read morePoetry Without Borders 2026
“Powerful, moving, and exhilarating” Read moreSongs For A New World
Exclusive film screening in San Mateo Read moreA LITTLE FELLOW: THE LEGACY OF A.P.GIANNINI
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.