
Driver Faces Charges for Reckless Driving, Vehicular Manslaughter
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (Jan. 22, 2025) — Jia Lin Zheng, 66, was detained following a fatal San Francisco crash on Sixth Street and could be facing multiple charges including vehicular manslaughter.
Police initially said they were going to charge the suspect with vehicular manslaughter, reckless driving causing injury, felony vandalism, and speeding, according to a report by KRON4 News.
However, police later released the suspect after he told them his brakes were not responding.
Mikhael Romanenko, a 27-year-old software developer who lived in San Francisco, and his dog were killed in the collision. Seven others were injured following one of two separate collisions possibly involving the suspect on Sunday, Jan. 19th.
The fatal crash involved seven vehicles just after 6 p.m. between Harrison and Bryant streets, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Police are working to determine if the suspect driving a black Tesla was involved in a prior collision involving four motorists on the northbound Interstate 280 Freeway. Some people suffered minor injuries in that collision.
Just moments later, authorities say a speeding Tesla SUV was involved in a crash on Sixth Street. The vehicle reportedly crashed into a driverless Waymo vehicle and set off a chain-reaction crash, according to the CHP.
The San Francisco Fire Department responded and confirmed one person dead. Paramedics also transported two people with major injuries to a trauma center. Several others were treated for minor injuries and some were not hurt.
Authorities detained the suspect from the Tesla and took him to a hospital.
Detectives are also working to determine whether or not alcohol and/or drugs were factors in the collision.
Witnesses are asked to call the San Francisco Police Department tip line at 415-575-4444.
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Johnson Attorneys Group is a personal injury law firm serving clients who are injured in California due to a negligent motorist. If you would like to contribute any information or have LEGAL QUESTIONS for a potential case, please call 1-(855) 703-4186 as soon as possible. Our personal injury law firm is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Source: SFist, KRON 4 News
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