Driver Finally Charged With Manslaughter After West Portal Bus Stop Crash

The community of San Francisco is still reeling after the West Portal bus crash, but the criminal justice system finally seems to be taking action. The accident killed an entire family in a shocking display of reckless driving, and it has been called one of the worst pedestrian crashes in San Francisco history. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, you know just how dangerous these incidents can be. Perhaps you have lost a loved one to a fatal pedestrian crash. Whatever the case may be, a pedestrian accident lawyer in San Francisco may be able to help you pursue compensation, justice, and closure.

Driver Faces Four Counts of Felony Manslaughter After West Portal Crash

In July of 2024, the San Francisco District Attorney announced that the driver responsible for killing an entire family in the West Portal neighborhood had been charged with numerous offenses. This driver now faces four separate counts of felony vehicular manslaughter – one for each of the family members who lost their lives in the incident. Police stated that even though there was no evidence of impairment, the crash still constituted manslaughter.

The driver is 79 years old, and she struck a family of four waiting at a Muni bus stop. Although one of the children initially survived the crash, there were four casualties when all was said and done. Prosecutors say that the crash was primarily caused by “excessive speed,” noting that this represents a textbook example of “gross negligence.” In the immediate aftermath of the crash, the district attorney decided not to press charges until seeing the toxicology report. Two parents and their two young children all perished. The baby was just three months old. It is not clear whether the defendant intends to plead guilty or pursue a trial.

Could This Lead to a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

The prosecutor’s decision to use the phrase “gross negligence” leaves the door open to a potential wrongful death lawsuit. The real question is whether there are any surviving family members who can sue on behalf of the deceased. The entire family was killed, and it is not clear whether they have any relatives. The father of the children was a citizen of Brazil, and it is not clear whether he has any family in the United States.

That being said, there should be at least one family member who can come forward and file a wrongful death lawsuit. This might be a parent of the deceased adults, or perhaps a sibling. In certain cases, even more distant relatives may be allowed to sue. These relatives might include uncles, aunts, nephews, grandparents, and so on.

Putting this question aside, a wrongful death lawsuit should be relatively straightforward. There is no real question about whether the driver was negligent, as she clearly caused the deaths of all four victims.

How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Fatal Pedestrian Accident in the Bay Area?

Compensation for fatal accidents covers various damages. Perhaps the most obvious example is the cost of a funeral, which may reach over $8,000 in the United States. Four deaths in the family could lead to extremely expensive funeral costs, and a wrongful death lawsuit should cover these damages.

A wrongful death lawsuit may also cover unpaid medical costs. In the West Portal crash, one of the children received treatment at a hospital before passing away. Unfortunately, these costs are passed to the family estate. In other words, surviving family members may need to pay these debts. A wrongful death lawsuit covers these damages as well, ensuring that medical bills are paid by reckless drivers instead.

A wrongful death lawsuit may also cover lost income. The death of an adult could rob a family of decades worth of earnings. These losses may be particularly difficult for surviving dependents, such as grandparents or children.

Find an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in San Francisco

If you have been searching for an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in San Francisco, look no further than Mary Alexander & Associates. We know how dangerous pedestrian crashes can be, and the West Portal incident is a shocking reminder of these hazards. Unfortunately, this accident will not be the last in San Francisco; pedestrians continue to lose their lives to reckless drivers across the Bay Area. While the future might seem uncertain after these fatal and debilitating accidents, you have important rights and protections under California law. To discuss your next legal steps, book a consultation today.