Full Notification

Suspect:  Carl Hofstetter, 69-year-old male (In-custody)

Vehicle: White 2019 Ford van

On Monday, May 10^th, 2021, at approximately 2:24 AM, Redwood City Police Officers responded to the 1600 block of El Camino Real on a report of an injury collision involving a pedestrian.   Officers arrived on scene and located a male victim laying in the middle of southbound El Camino Real.  The victim was unconscious, not responsive, and appeared to have suffered major injuries.  He was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel.

A witness described the suspect vehicle as being a white cargo van with major front end damage with the driver being a male in his forties with a dark complexion.  The witness stated the suspect vehicle was travelling southbound El Camino Real when it struck the pedestrian.  The van continued southbound, then made a U-turn at Roosevelt Avenue onto northbound El Camino Real and stopped at the scene of the collision.  The driver exited the van to examine the damage to the vehicle.  After checking his vehicle, the driver re-entered the van and left the scene travelling northbound.  The van was last seen travelling northbound El Camino Real.

Redwood City Detectives and Officers from the Redwood City Police Department Traffic Unit are currently following up on leads and examining video surveillance from nearby businesses. 
 
******************Update**********************Update*********************
Redwood City Detectives obtained video surveillance from a nearby business and were able identify a possible suspect vehicle and driver.  On Monday, May 10^th, at approximately 2:46 PM Officers located the vehicle travelling northbound on El Camino Real and initiated a traffic stop on it in the 300 block of El Camino Real in San Carlos.  The vehicle had front end damage indicating it had been involved in a recent collision.  The damage was also consistent with witness statements and what was depicted on video surveillance.  The driver was identified as Carl Hofstetter.  Hofstetter made admissions as to his involvement in the collision and was placed under arrest.  He was booked into the San Mateo County Jail for Felony Hit and Run and Vehicular Homicide.

Anyone that may have additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Redwood City Police Detective David Denning at 650-780-7141 or Traffic Officer Pete Cang at 650-780-5021.  For those wishing to remain anonymous, messages can be left on the Redwood City Police Department’s Tip Line at 650-780-7110.

This information is approved for distribution by Investigations Division Commander, Lieutenant Casey Donovan, Redwood City Police Department.