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A 4-year-old girl was killed in a fatal crash in San Francisco. The girl was being pushed in a stroller by her parents when they were struck by a car. The driver, a 71-year-old woman, stayed on the scene and has been arrested for not yielding to pedestrians and vehicular manslaughter. This incident has raised concerns about pedestrian safety in the area. The driver was not impaired by drugs or alcohol. ABC7 San Francisco reported
We have obtained additional information regarding a tragic incident in San Francisco that resulted in the death of a 4-year-old girl. According to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), the collision occurred on King and 4th streets while the girl’s parents were visiting the city and pushing her in a stroller. The SFPD confirmed that three pedestrians were struck in the incident, including the young girl who sadly lost her life. Medical assistance was immediately provided to the injured pedestrians, who were then transported to the hospital for treatment of their life-threatening injuries. The driver involved in the collision, identified as 71-year-old Karen Cartagena, remained at the scene and was subsequently arrested by the SFPD for not yielding to pedestrians and vehicular manslaughter.
Residents in the area expressed their concerns for their safety and left flowers at the site of the tragedy. A traffic control officer revealed that one of his colleagues, who had assisted the family during the distressing incident, had to take a day off due to the emotional impact. The SFPD, along with their traffic collision investigation unit, is still investigating the details of the collision. Initial findings from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) indicate that the incident was not caused by speeding but rather a failure to yield while turning.
Data provided by the SFMTA shows that between 2019 and 2023, there have been 12 collisions resulting in 19 injuries at the intersection of 4th and King. Unfortunately, the recent death marks the first fatality in this area. Observations made shortly after the incident revealed several close calls between cars and pedestrians, with some vehicles disregarding the right of way and speeding through the intersection.
Janelle Wong, the executive director for San Francisco’s Bicycle Coalition, has called for changes to be made to improve safety at this intersection. Wong emphasized the need for priority to be given to pedestrians at crosswalks and suggested implementing measures such as red lights or yielding requirements for vehicles. Regarding the driver involved in the collision, the SFPD has confirmed that impairment due to drugs or alcohol does not appear to have played a role in the incident.
In a more sophisticated and professional rephrasing of the text, the tragic incident that took place in San Francisco, resulting in the untimely death of a 4-year-old girl, has garnered further details. The SFPD has shed light on the circumstances surrounding the collision, revealing that it occurred at the intersection of King and 4th streets while the young girl’s parents were visiting the city and pushing her in a stroller. Tragically, the collision claimed the lives of the 4-year-old and injured two others, an adult male and a juvenile female. The injured pedestrians received immediate aid from officers and were swiftly transported to the hospital for treatment of their life-threatening injuries. The driver involved in the collision, identified as Karen Cartagena, a 71-year-old individual, remained at the scene and was taken into custody by the SFPD, facing charges of not yielding to pedestrians and vehicular manslaughter.
The devastating incident has left the local community shaken, as evidenced by the presence of flowers placed at the site of the collision. Moreover, the emotional toll on the first responders is apparent, with one traffic control officer’s colleague being unable to work after witnessing the distressing scene. The SFPD, in conjunction with their traffic collision investigation unit, is diligently working to uncover the specifics of the collision. Preliminary findings from the SFMTA suggest that excessive speed was not a contributing factor; rather, it was a failure to yield while making a turn.
Alarming statistics provided by the SFMTA reveal that over a span of four years, from 2019 to 2023, there have been a total of 12 collisions resulting in 19 injuries at the intersection of 4th and King. Regrettably, this recent incident marks the first fatality during this period. Disturbingly, in the aftermath of the tragedy, numerous near-miss incidents were observed, characterized by vehicles encroaching upon pedestrians who possessed the right of way and disobeying traffic regulations by speeding through the intersection.
In light of these distressing events, Janelle Wong, the executive director for San Francisco’s Bicycle Coalition, is urging the city to take immediate action to enhance safety conditions at this hazardous intersection. Wong advocates for prioritizing pedestrians’ safety by implementing measures that require vehicles to yield or face red lights at crosswalks. These proposed changes aim to mitigate the risks for pedestrians and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. It is worth noting that the SFPD has confirmed that impairment due to drugs or alcohol is not believed to have contributed to the collision.
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