SAN FRANCISCO—Professional tri-athlete and Ironman champion, Meredith Kessler, is being charged in a hit-and-run incident that occurred in the Bay Area several months ago. The accident took place around 1 p.m. on March 27 at the intersection of 2nd Street and Townsend Street when someone driving an SUV turned onto Townsend Street and struck a male victim.
The 53-year-old male victim, Soren Krogh-Jensen, was allegedly hit by Kessler and suffered loss of smell and taste as a result. Krogh-Jensen also told officials that he has lost most of his energy because of the accident and has also been depressed. His brain injuries are attributed to the fact that Krogh-Jensen was flung into the air and landed head first onto the ground following the vehicle’s collision with the victim.
Video surveillance captured Kessler exiting her vehicle to check on the victim before getting back into her car and driving away. She later told police that she thought the man had had a stroke and that was why he fell to the ground. Kessler was reportedly not aware that she had hit someone.
Kessler pleaded not guilty to charges of felony hit-and-run at her arraignment on Tuesday, August 20. A trial is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
By Nedda Alishahi
