Girl Paralyzed, 7 Others Hurt In San Francisco SoMa Crash
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Eight young people suffered minor to major injuries Monday morning when a van allegedly ran a red light in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood and slammed broadside into an vehicle full of passengers who weren't wearing seatbelts, according to police.
Police suspect that the drivers of both vehicles were under the influence behind the wheel.
The accident happened at approximately 12:36 a.m. at the intersection of 10th and Howard. A GMC van traveling at what one witness said was 80 mph is believed to have run a red light and T-boned a Dodge Charger with 6 young adults inside.
"The Dodge Charger had 2 males in the front seat, 4 females in the back, all un-seatbelted," explained SFPD Sgt. Gene Yoshi. "And it got hit broadside, spun around and the rear went into the church on the southwest corner."
KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:
One of the girls in the back was apparently sitting on the lap of another, and was literally tossed around during the crash. At least one passenger was left paralyzed from the neck down, according to police.
The van's 20-year-old driver was said to be unlicensed, with no identification and unconfirmed citizenship. He suffered cuts to his face and is being charged with 7 counts of felony DUI.
Inside the van, police found a large quantity of cocaine, and they suspect the van's driver may have been involved in a hit-and-run in the Northern District just 7 minutes earlier.
"Because the van sustained so much damage in the collision at 10th and Howard, we can't really trace it back to the incident in the Northern District," lamented Yoshi.
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