A 9-year-old boy who was in San Francisco to attend the Giants-Phillies game Thursday evening was critically injured following the game. The boy was struck in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident on Mission Street. The boy reportedly stepped into the street at roughly 10:30 p.m.
Police say a 21-year-old Hayward man was driving the wrong way down New Montgomery Street came around the corner. The man’s pickup truck reportedly struck the boy on Mission Street; the pickup truck did not stop after the accident. Authorities say the pickup truck crashed into several other vehicles after the pedestrian accident before reaching the highway.
The young baseball fan suffered serious injuries in the accident. He was rushed to San Francisco General Hospital for treatment. Officials say the boy’s condition is improving, but he remains in critical condition at the hospital. A 58-year-old woman reportedly also suffered a foot injury in the accident. Her injury does not appear to be life-threatening, according to officials.
Police were able to locate the pickup truck they believe was involved in the hit-and-run pedestrian accident roughly an hour after the crash. Law enforcement reportedly verified their suspicions with witnesses to the accident who identified the truck and its driver.
Police say a preliminary alcohol screening showed the driver was under the influence of alcohol. The man reportedly faces charges of felony hit-and-run and DUI related to the pedestrian accident. San Francisco pedestrian accident attorneys are aware that criminal charges do not bar separate civil proceedings related to an injury producing accident.
Source: The San Francisco Appeal, “Andrew Vargas Arrested For Downtown Hit And Run, DUI as 9-Year-Old Clings To Life,” Sara Gaiser August 6, 2011
