SAN FRANCISCO—A woman was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter for a fatal high-speed crash that resulted in the death of a 16-year-old boy on Friday, September 27, in the Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood, according to police.
Jennie Zhu, 58, was arrested and booked around 6:55 a.m. on the manslaughter charge, as well as two traffic infractions related to the crash at Pine and Gough Streets.
Zhu was allegedly driving 80 mph in a 25 mph zone and drove through several stoplights before rear-ending a minivan with the victim, who was identified as Kevin San, and his mother and sister inside, according to officials. San was pronounced dead at the scene and his mother and sister sustained critical injuries.
“This is about as ugly an accident that I’ve ever seen,” Police Chief Greg Suhr said at the scene of the accident. “And when you lose a child, it just doesn’t get worse than that,” he added.
Officers on a routine patrol saw Zhu’s vehicle pass them before colliding with the minivan, according to reports.
“The car was going so fast the officer saw the vehicle cross Polk Street, which is two blocks away, and the car was going so fast they didn’t have time to activate their lights or sirens to get within a block of it before the crash occurred,” Suhr said in a statement.
San was a junior at Lincoln High School where he was a member of the ROTC drum corps. According to a message posted on the school’s website by the principal, there will be grief counselors on campus as well as a sympathy poster for students to share their thoughts and well wishes for the family.
“This difficult time can be stressful and confusing,” Principal Barnaby Payne wrote on the school’s website. “We especially want you to know of our care and support. I am confident that the love of our school and community will embrace Kevin’s family and his memory,” he added.
There were a total of six injuries, including Zhu, as a result of the crash, according to reports. The victims were sent to a nearby hospital with injuries ranging from non-life-threatening to severe.
Officials have not released many details on the crash, but they have said there was “gross negligence” on Zhu’s part. They do not believe that Zhu was intoxicated or under the influence at the time of the accident.
Zhu, who was booked at San Francisco County Jail, was released on Saturday, September 30, after posting the $300,000 bail, according to officials.
By Melissa Simon
