April 16, 2016
2 Arrested in Nix Hit and Run Case
Cynthia Laird READ TIME: 2 MIN.
San Francisco Police announced this week that they have arrested two men in connection with a fatal hit and run accident last November that left a gay man dead.
Dennis Nix, 60, was killed November 22 when a car collided with his scooter in the city's Ingleside district.
Brendan Wallace, 32, of Broadmoor, in unincorporated San Mateo County, and Heinz Raino Cortado, 34, also of Broadmoor, were arrested in connection with the case.
Heinz Raino Cortado. Photo: Courtesy SFPD
Wallace was taken into custody at his place of employment in Mountain View. He was identified by police as the driver of a silver-colored Mercedes used in the collision. Cortado surrendered to SFPD officers at the Broadmoor Police Station April 8. He was identified by police as the getaway driver of a second car that allegedly picked up Wallace after the accident.
Wallace was booked on vehicular manslaughter, felony hit and run, and providing false information to peace officers. Cortado was booked on felony accessory to the hit and run and providing false information to peace officers.
Wallace entered a not guilty plea Monday in San Francisco Superior Court, according to Alex Bastian, spokesman for the San Francisco District Attorney's office. Cortado's arraignment was set for April 14 at 1:30 p.m.
The arrests followed what police called "an extensive investigation" by the department's Traffic Collision Investigative Unit.
The accident occurred at 2:32 a.m. Sunday, November 22, when Nix was riding his scooter south on San Jose Avenue approaching the Monterey Boulevard exit. A light-colored sedan struck him, police said, and Nix was pronounced dead at the scene.
Nix was a longtime certified financial planner. He was active with the San Francisco FrontRunners, an LGBT running club, and other gay sports organizations. He had left a FrontRunners holiday dinner the night of the accident.
Although arrests have been made, police said that the incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Michael Alexander at the TCIU at (415) 553-1641 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD or anonymously at (415) 575-4444.
