OAKLAND — The suspect in a May 2023 crash has been charged, more than two years after he was arrested in connection with the alleged crime, court records show.
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Samuel Grajales, 34, was charged with vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of the May 17, 2023 crash, but also with being a felon in possession of a gun when he was arrested six weeks later, court records show. The victim, a 50-year-old local mechanic named Carlos Smith, was reportedly riding a bicycle near 98th Avenue and D Street in East Oakland when Grajales allegedly collided with him in a Volvo.
Grajales reportedly sped away from the crash scene. But the following day, he made a mistake that led to his arrest: he parked in front of an Oakland shop that specializes in selling gold fronts, commonly known as grills.
Investigators spotted the Volvo outside the shop and recovered surveillance footage that showed Grajales entering and exiting the car, authorities said. He was arrested June 28, 2023, allegedly while driving the same Volvo, which was equipped with stolen plates. Police say a gun was found in the car.
Grajales was charged Aug. 5. At an Aug. 18 court hearing, Alameda County Judge Michael Risher set his bail at $80,000. Grajales has since been released from jail, court records show.
Grajales wasn’t allowed to have a gun due to prior convictions for robbery, in 2008 an 2011, and for having a weapon in the Sacramento County jail in 2017, court records show.