Arrests in fatal hit-and-run

Gillan, the alleged driver, was arrested at his work place in Belmont on suspicion of felony hit-and-run. Mulcahy was not a passenger in the car but is being charged as an accessory to the crime, Lt. Barbara Hammerman said.

Police said Mulcahy is a close friend of Gillan, but are withholding additional information about her involvement until her trial.

The arrests came after three weeks of good old fashion police work and an outstanding response from the public, Manheimer said.

"It really caught the attention of the public of being tragic and they wanted to help," said Manheimer at a press conference Friday.

More than 100 people helped detectives solve the crime, including several auto body shops. Employees from the shops helped police identify a few shards from a car grille found at the scene of the crime. Experts pieced the shards together and used manuals to determine that they belonged to a 1994 green Ford Explorer.

"There was no doubt in my mind that we'd make this arrest," Manheimer said.

The investigation started the evening of Feb. 1 when Guerrero was struck at the intersection of East Poplar Avenue and North Claremont Street. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at Stanford Medical Center.

Witnesses told police they saw a green car hit Guerrero without stopping. However, witnesses were unclear what type of car it was. Over the following weeks, detectives re-interviewed eyewitnesses and 911 callers. Late last week police found the car under a tarp at the home of Gillan's parents in Foster City.

The case had the whole department working overtime, Hammerman said.

Hammerman was the supervising officer on the case and had to direct Detective Brian Headly to take a day off because "he ate, drank and slept this case," Manheimer said.

Gillan and Mulcahy were booked into San Mateo County Jail Friday night and are expected to be arraigned Monday unless they post bail over the weekend.

Gillan's bail is $100,000 and Mulcahy's was set at $50,000, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstafe.

Gillan's final charges will likely include vehicular manslaughter. Mulcahy's charge could send her to prison for up to three years if convicted, he added.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.