A Richmond man charged in a 2024 fatal hit-and-run in San Pablo failed to appear in court in January after the judge reduced his bail last year, and a $1 million bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

In 2024, Charles Michael Johnson III, 30, of Richmond, was charged with murder in connection to the fatal hit-and-run of 51-year-old Ernesto Reyes, who was walking near 23rd & California in San Pablo. As Bay Area News Group reports, Johnson was on parole for a prior conviction for evading police at the time, which involved running over a police officer’s foot.

KPIX reported at the time that the crash occurred on the evening of August 24, 2024, near Richmond High School along the San Pablo-Richmond city limits. Officers found Reyes lying in the street with major injuries, and he died at the scene.

Investigators determined that a silver Dodge Charger, allegedly driven by Johnson, was speeding southbound on 23rd Street when it suddenly veered into the northbound lane, striking the pedestrian who was in the street. The Charger then fled the scene at a high speed, police said. Police reportedly suspected Johnson was racing another car.

He was later arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on charges of vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run. According to KTVU’s Henry Lee on X, the Contra Costa County District Attorney charged Johnson with murder and hit-and-run that September.

In May 2025, Johnson’s lawyer had his bail lowered from $2.2 million to $200,000, so Johnson could help his unwell mother, while checking in with the court during regular appointments. Deputy Public Defender Tim Ahearn claimed in a bail motion that Johnson was fleeing another car being driven by an armed individual in a mask.

“Although the prosecution alleges that Mr. Johnson was racing another car at high speed when the incident occurred, Mr. Johnson informed the police that he was fleeing a car driven by a masked individual who pointed a gun at him,” said Deputy Public Defender Tim Ahearn, who claimed the charges were overblown, per Bay Area News Group.

Johnson reportedly kept up his appointments for six months, until January when he failed to appear before the judge, who issued a $1 million bench warrant that’s still active, based on court records. A new court date was set for July.

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