Preliminary reports indicate that a 75-year-old driver was trying to park when he lost control of his vehicle. The vehice struck two pedestrians on the sidewalk, before crashing into the New Lun Ting Cafe
San Francisco, CA – One person was killed and another severely injured when a vehicle hit pedestrians and slammed into a restaurant in the Chinatown neighborhood of San Francisco Friday morning.
According to a report by the San Francisco Police Department, the crash happened in the 600 block of Jackson Street near Grant Street at about 7:45 a.m. on Friday, March 27.
Preliminary reports indicate that a 75-year-old driver was trying to park when he lost control of his vehicle. The vehice struck two pedestrians on the sidewalk, before crashing into the New Lun Ting Cafe.
The San Francisco Fire Department and SFPD officers immediately responded to the scene of the incident and attended to the victims of the crash.
Medics transported both pedestrians to a hospital for further treatment and one of them was later declared deceased at the medical facility. The other victim was in serious condition but was expected to survive.
Police reported that the driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigators. Alcohol and drugs were not suspected to have played any role in the incident, according to the SFPD.
Officials deemed the building unsafe and this led to a temporary closure of the business. The involved vehicle, an SUV, sustained major damage to its hood and debris was scattered across the street and the front of the business.
No additional details on the incident were immediately released. Authorities are currently investigating to establish the cause of the accident.
San Francisco’s traffic safety remains a challenge despite Vision Zero initiatives launched in 2014 to eliminate fatalities by 2024. In 2024, the city recorded 39-43 fatal collisions, resulting in 41-43 deaths—the highest in over a decade—with pedestrians and vulnerable users disproportionately affected (drivers at fault in nearly 50% of pedestrian fatalities). Males comprised 81% of victims. 2025 saw a sharp improvement, with fatalities dropping nearly 50% to around 24, attributed to street redesigns, speed reductions, and enhanced enforcement. Pedestrians, especially older adults (75% of pedestrian deaths), and hit-and-run persist as key concerns. Injury crashes concentrate on the High Injury Network (12% of streets accounting for 68% of severe incidents).
If you were injured or lost a loved one in this crash, you may have the right to seek compensation and a car accident lawyer can answer all the legal questions you may have.