10-04-2025
Alleged Peninsula hit-and-run driver fatally strikes woman, goes to work
The Brief
Two women were killed in separate hit-and-run crashes along the Peninsula, both bearing similarities.
In each case, the drivers ran red lights while heading to work, according to police.
The suspects were tracked down and arrested at their jobs.
BURLINGAME, Calif. - Twice within two weeks, drivers have barreled through red lights along the Peninsula while heading to work, killing victims before fleeing the scene, authorities said.
What we know
On March 11, Arlene Ocampo, 61, was in a crosswalk near El Camino Real and Trousdale Drive in Burlingame when she was hit by a car whose driver never stopped.
"He ran the red light, hit her, throwing her up onto, and over the top of his car. He then, without hitting the brake at all, kept on driving and drove to work," said San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
Ocampo, the mother of two daughters, died at the scene, just a block from the Burlingame Police Department.
She enjoyed cooking, gardening, and going to church.
On GoFundMe, her daughters wrote, "Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in the memories of her beautiful life."
Burlingame police arrested the suspect, Joel Gilongos, 52, with the help of witnesses and video cameras. Gilongos has been charged with felony vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run.
What they're saying
The tragedy bears many similarities to a March 24 crash in Brisbane that killed Rosa Baez, 59. She was headed to work at Amazon when a driver, Hector de la Torre-Jimenez, allegedly ran a red light on Bayshore Boulevard, ran off, and went to work.
"All because they wanted to not be a few minutes late to work," Wagstaffe said. "It's just a horrific decision by both of these men. They're both going to spend time in prison for what they did."
Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and
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