2024 West Portal, San Francisco car accident

On March 16, 2024, at around 12:15 p.m. in San Francisco's West Portal bus and train station, advertising professional Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 40, and his 38-year-old wife Matilde Ramos Pinto, were killed by an alleged speeding car with their two sons—19-month-old Joaquín and 3-month-old Cauê—while waiting near a Muni Metro train station. 78-year-old Mary Fong Lau, of San Francisco, is facing four counts of manslaughter and a lawsuit filed by the victims' extended family. Authorities and investigators believe the driver sped up to three times the posted speed limit (65-72 mph vs. the legal 25 mph). The driver and her lawyer say that the accident was likely the cause of a mechanical failure from Lau's Mercedes-Benz SUV.
The deaths have led to much criticism over the quality and management of traffic infrastructure and how traffic laws and reckless driving is enforced in San Francisco.
Background
Mother Matilde Ramos Pinto, an immigrant from Portugal, was a producer with an advertising agency, and Oliveira, from Brazil, was a creative director at Apple, Inc. They lived with their two children just a couple of blocks from Dolores Park, in San Francisco's Mission Dolores neighborhood; neighbors and friends described them as having a strong sense of connection with the neighborhood and were involved with a lot of events and meetings in regards to the neighborhood's quality of living.
Details and legal proceedings
The crash happened on Ulloa Street and Lenox Way. Diego and Joaquim died instantly or near instantly, being flung several dozen feet from the crash site onto a pavement. Matilde and Caue were hit while standing at the bus stop and thus run over; the mother died from her injuries the following day in the hospital and authorities confirmed that Caue succumbed three days after the crash. Relatives of the De Oliveiras-Pintos family donated Caue's organs.
Reactions
The Brazilian consulate in San Francisco released a statement in the wake of the deaths: "We are deeply saddened to address the recent tragedy that occurred last weekend. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this devastating event,” the statement says, according to the outlet. “In the meantime, we ask for your understanding and respect for the privacy of the individuals and families impacted by this tragedy. Our thoughts remain with them during this difficult time.”<ref name="PeopleMag"/> Hundreds to several thousand people gathered at vigils at both at the crash site and at a Catholic church, after the following several weeks.

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