Driver arrested in crash near Oracle Park that killed 4-year-old girl, injured parent
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco police said the driver who crashed into a family on Tuesday near Oracle Park was arrested.
Officers responded to Fourth and King Streets around 5:15 p.m. for reports of a crash involving pedestrians.
When they arrived, officers found a 4-year-old girl and one of their parents had been injured in a crash. They were both taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The girl later died at the hospital, police said.
San Francisco police on Wednesday confirmed the driver was arrested on suspicion of three counts of failure to yield to pedestrians and vehicular manslaughter. She was identified as 71-year-old Karen Cartagena.
The accident happened during the height of rush hour and traffic due to the San Francisco Giants ballgame, there were a lot of cars and pedestrians around.
A witness who called 911 told KPIX that she saw the young girl underneath the car and multiple people tried to help lift it. A nurse passed by and also performed CPR, but it was unfortunately too late, according to the witness.
Police said the parents were pushing their child in a stroller in the crosswalk when they were hit by the grey Mercedes SUV. It also appeared to hit a pole in the median. The driver was seen sitting in the back of a police vehicle at the scene.
Witnesses said cars in the two right lanes had the light to turn at the time but had to yield to pedestrians. They told KPIX one driver in a white truck did so, but the driver in the SUV did not for unknown reasons.
The 4-year-old was pronounced dead at the hospital. The father suffered life-threatening injuries. The mother was not injured. Police said the victims were from out of town.
The driver stayed on the scene and was cooperating with police. Residents nearby said 4th and King is an intersection where they have to use extreme caution when crossing.
"For the most part, I think it's safe, but the freeway is right there. And so this is a very busy area there's always - I've never seen it empty, there's always cars here, so I'm always nervous, always double checking around here, making sure it's actually safe to cross," said Jon Khaykin.
"When I go to take the train for work I cross this intersection with my bike and I think it's really dangerous," said Hannah Miller. "I have to make sure no one's coming and people try to turn on red when the crosswalk sign is going, so you have to really be paying attention."
Police said impairment due to drugs or alcohol does not appear to be a factor. At this time, police are still going through evidence, including surveillance video.