SAN FRANCISCO (DDN) – A 66-year-old man was arrested Sunday night for reportedly slamming his Tesla into other automobiles, killing one person and a dog near 6th and Harrison streets.
The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on Sunday and involved at least seven vehicles, including an unoccupied autonomous Waymo vehicle.
According to jail records, Jia Lin Zheng was booked into the San Francisco County Jail on Monday morning on accusations of vehicular manslaughter, vandalism, and speeding. Zheng denied a jailhouse interview on Monday.
According to the San Francisco Fire Department, one person was murdered, and seven others were injured, including one who was rushed to the hospital in severe condition.
“It was like a sonic boom, and car pieces ricocheted everywhere,” Darius Davis, who was nearby at the time, said on Sunday.
The crews were notified of the crash at about 6:10 p.m.
“I was listening to the EMT scanner, and they were repeatedly requesting for backup medics and ambulances. “It was just really bad,” said Bonnie Pittock, who lives down the street from the collision site.
Officials reported Sunday night that paramedics were evaluating the surviving victims.
“It is a tragedy to lose someone on our streets, and our prayers are with all those involved and their families. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie commented on the incident, saying, “We hope those who were injured will recover completely.” “Public safety has been my top priority from day one, and traffic safety is public safety.”
The severity of the injuries to the other victims is unknown. Officials said it’s unclear whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating four hit-and-runs on the I-280 off-ramp around 6th and Brannan streets, about two blocks from the fatal tragedy.
According to the CHP, the crashes also included a black Tesla. The victims sustained minor injuries.
Authorities are still investigating if the incidents are related, but a victim told KTVU that the I-280 crashes and the 6th and Harrison Street crash involved the same black Tesla.
“We got hit from behind, which was abrupt, obviously,” said the victim, Reese Wallace, whose Nissan Versa was one of the cars damaged on the off-ramp.
Wallace claimed the Tesla proceeded on the left shoulder, colliding with several vehicles before running a red light at Brannan and heading north on 6th Street to Harrison.
Reference: Tesla driver arrested after 1 killed in 7-car crash in San Francisco
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