West Portal crash: Driver faces felony charges after family of four killed while waiting at San Francisco bus stop

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — In San Francisco, the West Portal neighborhood is responding after the city’s district attorney filed charges against the driver who caused a crash earlier this year that killed a family of four.

Many people in the West Portal community are still shaken and mourning the horrific accident that killed a family of four in front of a library.

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“It’s something that’s so popular in the neighborhood and the community that families come to it every day. It’s right next to the library where I take my kids,” said West Portal resident Ray Kim.

Just three months after the accident, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins filed charges against the 78-year-old driver who struck the family.

“These are vehicular manslaughter charges stemming from the gross negligence that led to this collision,” Jenkins said.

After months of investigation, San Francisco Police ruled out mechanical failure in this case. Investigators believe the woman was traveling at 65 to 72 miles per hour before she crashed into the bus stop where the family was waiting.

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Immediately after the accident, the SFMTA and city government proposed changes to the road. Citizens protested these changes, fearing that it would negatively affect local businesses.

The prosecutor’s findings now confirm what many in this community have been saying.

“Driving at that high speed on the wrong side of the road … there’s nothing you can do about it,” said Pankaj Shah, owner of Roti Indian Bistro.

“We are all incredibly saddened by the whole situation, but we have said all along, with the support of the MTA, that the cause is not our actions here, but driver error, and that has now been confirmed by the DA,” said Deidre Von Rock, president of the West Portal Merchants Association.

Von Rock said his committee would present the requested changes on July 16.

“We are advocating for more traffic calming measures at the Ulloa and Vicente intersections. People have repeatedly asked for a traffic light at the West Portal and Ulloa intersection, and the MTA says that is absolutely impossible. We disagree, and that may have played a role for the driver at the time, but we will never know,” Von Rock said.

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The county manager said traffic changes are still needed. The county is currently working with the city to develop those changes.

“We need to change the way we use this intersection. We’ve been working with the merchants to find a solution that everyone can live with, and I think we’re there,” said SF Supervisor Myrna Melgar.

The driver was arrested on Tuesday and released on $150,000 bail on Wednesday. Her lawyer said in a statement that she “continues to grieve as she learns to live with this unspeakable reality,” adding, “We will review the evidence and present her defense step by step.”

Some West Portal residents see the charges as the beginning of justice for the family.

“What breaks my heart is the loss,” Kim said, adding, “I’m glad they were able to hold people accountable.”

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Full statement from the driver’s attorney:

“I received a call from the SFPD this morning and was informed that charges will be filed against Ms. Lau. While this news is very difficult to digest, Ms. Lau appreciates that the Prosecutor’s Office and the SFPD showed no rush in their decision making and conducted a thorough investigation. This tragedy is something Ms. Lau continues to mourn as she learns to live with this unspeakable reality. She extends her condolences to the entire family, friends and community of the Oliveira-Pinto family. Now that the Prosecutor’s Office has decided to file charges, we will review the evidence and present her defense step by step.”