SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The horrific crash that ended the lives of a family of four including two young children, has prompted a number of street safety measured in San Francisco’s West Portal neighborhood.
Those changes were unveiled on Wednesday, but some residents in the community are highlighting that none of the new changes would have prevented the crash.
A colorful intersection with large planters and polka dots on the pavement are among the visible changes at the intersection of West Portal Avenue and Ulloa Street, that the SFMTA officially implemented for pedestrian safety.
“First of all, the paint job is fun,” said Karen Schroeder, a West Postal resident who said she “definitely” feels safer walking in the area.
Changes were made more than a year after a speeding driver crashed into a nearby bus shelter, killing the family headed to the zoo. After the deadly crash, the city created a street safety committee in the area.
RELATED: Driver faces felony charges in West Portal crash that killed family of 4
“They try to make it more welcoming, more friendly – you get off and you are like wow, this is some place I want to visit,” said Kerry Riordan Sykes, a member of the West Portal Committee.
Luz Pena: “What about the safety aspect? Do you think that was accomplished?”
Kerry Riordan Sykes: “So what I’m going to say is this it seems like because you can’t drive through here now less pedestrians are worried about cross traffic.”
Some residents tell us they would have preferred to see stop signs or speed bumps on the street where the crash happened, not changes to the intersection below.
Pena: “The driver was coming down Wawona has anything actually changed there?”
RELATED: Relatives of family killed in SF West Portal crash file lawsuit against driver for moving assets
“Well, as you can see, we put harden center lines right there. Right after the crosswalk, we’ve put in the crossing flashing beacons so when you cross the street, you push it and then the light flash to alert people to slow down and let pedestrians cross,” said Viktoriya Wise, SFMTA Director of streets.
The driver involved in the crash was 80-year-old Mary Fong Lau. She was allegedly driving 65 to 72 miles per hour before losing control.
“The woman was going 60 miles an hour on the wrong side of the road. Hit the library cement wall before she sadly hit the family. So, if the cement wall didn’t help these, polka dots and planters are not going to help,” said Maureen Toss, owner of Eezy Freezy Market.
Maureen Toss is part of the West Portal Business Association and said some of the traffic changes are not being enforced.
“There is not supposed to be a left turn and people still turn left. People still do U-turns,” said Toss.
MORE: Outrage over proposed SFMTA traffic safety plan in SF’s West Portal after family killed
Supervisor Myrna Melgar represents this district. She spearheaded these changes and confirmed the city wanted to make this intersection safer years before the crash.
“The street that we are standing on is Ulloa so people can no longer come straight through on Ulloa, so that means that 25% less cars and people can no longer make a left turn here from West Portal – so that is again another 50% of folks who are not coming through that intersection,” said Supervisor Melgar.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins charged the 80-year-old driver with four counts of felony vehicular manslaughter; she was later released on bail.
In a statement, the DA’s office said: “The driver’s criminal case is pending. Her next court hearing is scheduled for October 28.”
Pena: “Do you think any of these changes would have prevented the crash?”
Supervisor Melgar: “No, because each crash is unique so there are things that could’ve happened. Any one thing speed, the angle of the street, the driver, there are so many things.”
Copyright © 2025 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Duncan Meyers, founder of BDJOBSTODAY, shares expert career advice, job market insights, and practical tips to help professionals grow and succeed in their careers.
