Elderly Driver Sentenced to Probation in Fatal San Francisco Crash
An 80-year-old driver has been sentenced to probation by a San Francisco judge two years after a crash that resulted in the deaths of a family of four in the West Portal neighborhood.
The Judge's Decision
Mary Fong Lau, who is 80 years old, entered a plea of no contest during her sentencing. The sentence includes six days in jail, which she had already served, along with two years of probation and 200 hours of community service.
The judge cited the driver's age and her prior clean record as factors in the sentencing.
District Attorney Expresses Dissatisfaction
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, noting that Lau was not required to enter a plea and retains the potential to drive again in the future.
Jenkins stated that while the crash was not intentional, there must be sufficient accountability to provide justice for the family and send a message to other drivers.
Driver's Remorse and Plea
Lau's attorney, Seth Morris, communicated his client's remorse and her acceptance of accountability through the no contest plea. He indicated that the plea aimed to avoid a lengthy trial process and potentially initiate a healing process for the affected families.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The incident occurred two years prior when the family was en route to the San Francisco Zoo. Lau was reportedly driving 70 miles per hour in a residential area at the time of the collision. Investigations found no vehicle malfunctions, and a witness reported that Lau stated she had mistakenly pressed the gas pedal instead of the brakes.
Future Driving Status and Apology
Lau is prohibited from driving for three years, after which she is eligible to renew her license. Her attorney stated that she does not intend to drive again. This occasion also marked the first time Lau addressed the family directly to express her apologies.
Ongoing Civil Cases and Criticism
In addition to the criminal proceedings, two civil cases against Lau are ongoing. Jim Quadra, an attorney for the victims' family in the civil case, criticized the sentence, characterizing the consequences as minimal and insufficient for the loss of four lives. He also noted that asset transfers by Lau were discovered during these civil proceedings.
"The consequences are minimal and insufficient for the loss of four lives." - Jim Quadra, attorney for victims' family.