Day Around the Bay 78-Year-Old Pedestrian Hit and Killed by Driver in SoMa

A suspected DUI driver caused a wrong-way crash near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge early Tuesday, resulting in one fatality. The driver, reported at 1:36 am, collided head-on with a Honda Civic just minutes later, killing its still-unidentified driver. In a separate incident, 78-year-old Annabella "Bella" Gabriel Barquera was struck and killed by a vehicle at Sixth and Howard streets, marking the third pedestrian death in the area since May. All three victims were aged between 74 and 78 years, raising alarms about pedestrian safety in this part of San Francisco. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has acknowledged the area as one of the deadliest for pedestrians, prompting calls for urgent safety interventions.

Local officials are likely to respond with proposals for improved crosswalks and traffic calming measures to protect vulnerable road users. Advocacy groups are expected to amplify their efforts to address pedestrian safety concerns in light of these incidents. The community's response will be critical in shaping future safety policies and initiatives.