Driver in Deadly West Portal Crash Sentenced to Probation, No Prison Time

SAN FRANCISCO — Mary Fong Lau, 80, was sentenced to two years of probation and 200 hours of community service on Friday for the 2024 crash in San Francisco’s West Portal neighborhood that killed a family of four. The judge likewise revoked Lau’s driver’s license for at least three years, after which she may reapply for a license with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The victims were identified as Matilde Ramos Pinto, 38, Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 40, and their two young sons, both under the age of two. The family was on their way to the San Francisco Zoo when Lau’s vehicle struck them at a bus stop on March 16, 2024.

Details of the Sentencing

Superior Court Judge Bruce Chan cited Lau’s remorse, lack of a prior criminal record, and age as factors in his sentencing decision. Lau entered a plea of no contest. She has already served six days in jail, fulfilling that portion of her sentence.

Prosecutors had argued for a stricter punishment, but Judge Chan ultimately opted for probation. Mary Fong Lau was believed to have been driving approximately 70 mph at the time of the crash according to KQED.

Reactions to the Sentence

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins expressed frustration with the sentence, stating that it did not provide sufficient accountability for the loss of four lives. Jenkins told reporters, “This is not a crime that we believe was intentional conduct…simply given that you are elderly does not mean that there shouldn’t be sufficient accountability.”

Family attorney Jim Quadra, representing the victims’ family in civil cases against Lau, criticized the leniency of the sentence, noting that Lau faced minimal restrictions on her freedom and that the community service requirement was vaguely defined. Quadra stated, “She doesn’t have home detention…she doesn’t have any restriction of her freedom.”

Lau’s attorney, Seth Morris, stated that his client was remorseful and had taken accountability by pleading no contest, avoiding a lengthy trial. He also noted that Lau expressed her sorrow to the family for the first time during the sentencing hearing.

Civil Cases and Asset Transfers

In addition to the criminal case, two civil cases are pending against Lau. It has been discovered that Lau transferred her assets during the legal proceedings. The final restitution payment will be decided at a later date and will fall somewhere between $67,000 and nearly $300,000 according to KQED.

No mechanical issues with Lau’s vehicle were found that could have contributed to the crash. Witnesses reported that Lau stated she had accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brakes.