BERKELEY—A 34-year-old Berkeley road rager, Derrick Johnson, rear-ended a couple in his black 2019 Nissan Rogue Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 4 p.m. at a red-light stop at the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and Ashby Avenue.
In order to exchange car insurance information, they had to follow him down several side streets. Finally, he stopped at Channing Way east of San Pablo Avenue and came out of his SVU. Johnson escalated things when he lifted his shirt where he had tucked his handgun in his waistband. Then he drove off, according to Berkeley Police Department.
Law enforcement was able to track him down via his license plate. They found him at his home on 1200 Masonic Avenue in northwest Berkeley, which is in close proximity to the Albany border and found the Nissan Rouge outside in front of the home with frontal damage.
Berkeley Police Officers surrounded the home and tried to get the driver to cooperate. They even brought in negotiators to help Johnson surrender but to no avail. Instead of giving in, he made his escape into the Berkeley Creek. He was apprehended without further problem.
Johnson was apprehended on the following charges: suspicion of hit-and-run, brandishing a firearm at someone in a vehicle, possession of a concealed weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He is still in custody under a bail of $190,000 at Alameda County Santa Rita Jail. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Wiley Manuel Courthouse in Oakland.
