HAYWARD — A preschool teaching assistant was waiting for a bus to take her to work here when an Antioch man’s car crashed over the curb, killing her.
Police now say that 25-year-old Lydia Guerra was the victim of the driver’s failed suicide attempt, in which he simply closed his eyes and accelerated into what happened to be in his path: a parked vehicle, three city trees, a traffic signal pole and some garbage cans.
But the driver, identified in court records as 36-year-old Kelvin Leovander, survived the horrific crash. Now he’s been charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, as well as attempting to leave the scene of the Feb. 10 collision on the 300 block of West Winton Avenue in Hayward.
Leovander has been released on $85,000 bail, court records show. Police said at the time of the crash that he was placed in a mental health hold the day of the incident.
Guerra, a Hayward native, worked in special education at a Ruus Elementary preschool class, according to her obituary. She had recently graduated from San Jose State University and was planning to marry her fiancé.
Leovander, an Antioch resident, allegedly attempted to flee the crash by asking people in the area if he could get a ride. He also opened the door of a nearby car, but the driver sped away before he could get in, police said.
Leovander has formally requested mental health diversion and is going to therapy while he’s out of custody, according to court records. He is next due in court in September.
If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Call or text the lifeline at 988, or see the 988lifeline.org website, where chat is available.