San Francisco prosecutors say 78-year-old driver involved in fatal West Portal crash faces four charges

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said the 78-year-old driver involved in the fatal West Portal crash has an arrest warrant and will face four counts of vehicular manslaughter.

San Francisco Police Chief William Scott and SF District Attorney Brooke Jenkins made the announcement regarding the investigation into the fatal collision during a news conference at SFPD headquarters on Third Street.

According to San Francisco police, an arrest warrant has also been issued for the driver, Mary Fong Lau. Police said she is not in custody, but officers are working with her attorney to place her in custody.

The arrest warrant and charges against Chief Scott came after investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure or deficiency.

THE A tragic accident occurred on March 16 as the family were on their way to the zoo and were waiting at a West Portal bus stop at Ulloa Street and Lennox Way.

An SUV driven by Mary Fong Lau, 78, was travelling east on Ulloa at about 12.13pm when the vehicle crashed into the bus stop.

Diego Cardoso de Oliveira and his 2-year-old son, Joaquin, died at the scene. The mother, Matilde Ramos Pinto, and the baby Caue Ramos Pinto de Oliveira were hospitalized. The mother died of her injuries the next day. The baby died on March 20.

After the accident, Lau was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving, reckless driving causing bodily harm, driving the wrong way on a divided highway, and driving at a dangerous speed. However, the district attorney did not file charges in the weeks that followed as the investigation into the incident continued.

Witnesses said the driver was travelling at between 80 and 110km/h in the wrong direction on Ulloa Street. They said there were no signs of braking or skid marks on the road.

Lau’s lawyer said she remained in hospital for the week after the collision, but no details were released about her injuries and condition.

Days after the accident, Lau and his family released the following statement through his lawyer:

“Ms. Lau and her family join the community in mourning the tragic loss of life that occurred in West Portal over the weekend.

We express our gratitude to the San Francisco Police Department, the San Francisco Fire Department, and all other first responders who responded to the scene, as well as the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office for conducting a diligent and thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this tragic accident. Ms. Lau has cooperated fully with investigators and will continue to do so.

While it is understandable to seek more information about the causes of this devastating accident, Ms. Lau and her family respectfully request that their privacy be respected during this difficult time, while investigators continue to gather relevant information.