SAN FRANCISCO—On Thursday, August 2, San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón revealed that a jury found Syed Muzaffar, 61, of Union City, guilty of vehicular manslaughter. Muzaffar is responsible for the death of a 6-year-old girl and injuries her mother sustained and her 3-year-old brother.
“We have a responsibility to each other when we get behind the wheel,” said District Attorney George Gascón. “It’s imperative that we all slow down and remain completely alert when operating a vehicle. Far too much is at risk, and our city is more congested than ever.”
According to court records, on December 31, 2013 at approximately 8 p.m., Uber driver Muzaffar was driving on Ellis Street in his car, a Honda Pilot SUV. The defendant made a right turn on to Polk Street, and after entering the crosswalk he struck and fatally killed six-year old Sophia Liu. Sophia’s mother sustained a major injury to her head, and Sophia’s brother was injured.
According to a press release from the SFDA’s Office, after hitting Sofia, Muzaffar reversed his car back over her body before exiting his vehicle. Though police and paramedics responded, they were not able to save Sophia, who died 30 minutes after the crash.
Muzaffar was arrested and charged with one count of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. A jury found him guilty of vehicular manslaughter after two days of deliberation.
“This family had their lives turned upside down,” said Assistant District Attorney Thomas Ostly. “San Francisco’s first responders came together that night to try and save this little girl, and many of them remain profoundly affected by Sofia’s death.”
