Young Boy Severely Injured After Hit-And-Run Pedestrian Accident in San Francisco

By Kelly Balamuth on August 17, 2011

A nine-year-old boy was severely injured in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident in downtown San Francisco following the Giants vs. Phillies game on August 4.

The boy and his family, on summer vacation in Northern California from Philadelphia, were walking back to their hotel from the AT&T Park when he and his aunt were struck by a Toyota Tundra truck near the intersection of New Montgomery Street and Mission. The boy’s father told KRON-TV: “A car came screeching out of the street, hit one car, careened over into the second car, and that was where my son was.” The boy was taken to a local hospital and treated for life-threatening injuries, while his aunt was treated for a foot injury. As of August 8, a hospital spokesperson listed him in critical condition and has been making slow, incremental health improvements.

The car’s driver, a 21-year-old graduate of Cal State East Bay, fled the scene after the accident, officials said, but was located and apprehended later that evening by police. His blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent proved that he had been drinking. Department of Motor Vehicles data shows the driver held a clean record prior to this incident. He is charged with driving under the influence (DUI), driving with an open container, and a hit-and-run felony. The day following the car accident, he was imprisoned at San Francisco County Jail, and bail was set at $64,100.

Pedestrians are always at risk among motor vehicles. If you or a loved one has been injured as a pedestrian in an accident involving recklessness or impaired driving on the driver’s behalf, you may be eligible to pursue damages. Call 1-888-254-1234 for a free consultation with the Northern California pedestrian accident attorneys at Balamuth Harrington.