SAN FRANCISCO—An elderly pedestrian was struck and killed by a “Hop-On Hop-Off” double-decker tour bus in San Francisco on Saturday, January 16, at approximately 1:00 p.m. in the Pacific Heights neighborhood.
According to police, the crash was reported at Post and Divisadero Street. Post Street was blocked off by authorities for most of the afternoon until early evening. According to witnesses, the bus had been making a right turn onto Post Street as the pedestrian was struck.
The victim was reported to be in his 70s, and pronounced dead on the scene. The man was in the middle of the street at the crosswalk as he was struck, according to police. According to witnesses at the scene, the victim had been waving and shouting at the driver just before he was struck and crushed under the wheels of the bus. Witnesses say the victim was crossing Post Street while traffic had stopped at Divisadero Street.
According to reports, by the time medics and authorities arrived, the victim was pinned at the back of bus and trapped underneath the vehicle. The victim died from sustaining severe head injuries as a result, according to police. No other individuals were injured during the incident.
Police are continuing to investigate, including who had the right of way at the time of the incident and whether any mechanical malfunctions or distractions contributed to the accident. Witnesses say the vehicle was not moving very fast, and the driver did not seem intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
Authorities note the bus company is cooperating with all aspects of the investigation, and have not released any information regarding the identity of the driver and victim. The SFPD will be relying on hospital video surveillance to assist in the investigation. This incident marks the second tour bus crash in two months.
On Monday, January 18, police revealed the identity of the pedestrian struck by the tour bus as 82-year-old Pieter Roell.
