Berkeley, CA — On the night of Tuesday, November 3, 2026, a 64-year-old woman lost her life in a suspected DUI pedestrian collision that led to the arrest of Nickolaus Messina, 66, of Oakland, according to KRON.
At approximately 6:38 PM, the Berkeley Police Department responded to the fatal pedestrian accident at Ashby Avenue and Regent Street in a mixed-use residential and commercial area, near the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center.
According to investigators, with the help of witness statements, a silver Kia Soul was traveling westbound on Ashby Avenue when it struck the woman and left the scene without rendering aid to the victim.
Emergency responders provided the injured pedestrian with transportation to a nearby trauma center for treatment of serious injuries. Unfortunately, despite the lifesaving efforts of medical personnel, she succumbed to her wounds and was pronounced dead.
Following a witness’s description of the Kia, investigators were able to track the vehicle down based on its license plate number. They followed it past the Interstate 580-Interstate 80 split and arrested its driver, Messina, on suspicion of driving under the influence, gross vehicular manslaughter, and hit-and-run causing death.
He was booked into the Santa Rita Jail on a $380,000 bail, with an arraignment scheduled for Friday, November 6.
Berkeley PD expressed its gratitude to the eyewitness who helped them to apprehend Messina.
California Fatal Pedestrian Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
Regardless of the outcome of any criminal proceedings for Messina, the family of the woman who lost her life may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim can offer compensation for funeral expenses and the loss of support and companionship the deceased provided.
California Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been affected by an accident like the one described here at Ashby Avenue and Regent Street in a mixed-use residential and commercial area, a California wrongful death lawyer would be happy to answer any questions and provide a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation.
