West Portal crash case: San Francisco driver who killed family of four may receive probation sentence

A deadly March 2024 bus-stop crash returns to court

A San Francisco driver charged in a West Portal crash that killed a family of four is expected to avoid prison under a sentence framework outlined in court this week. The case stems from a March 16, 2024 collision in which a Mercedes SUV struck a transit shelter near the West Portal Branch Library, where the family had been waiting for public transportation.

The victims were identified in court records and prior hearings as Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 40, Matilde Moncada Ramos Pinto, 38, and their two children, Joaquim and Cauê. Prosecutors have said the family was headed to the San Francisco Zoo.

No-contest plea to four felonies

The defendant, Mary Fong Lau, 80, entered a no-contest plea to four felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter. A no-contest plea has the same immediate criminal effect as a guilty plea for sentencing purposes, while not requiring an admission of guilt in open court.

At the change-of-plea hearing, the presiding judge indicated an intent to impose a probationary sentence rather than incarceration. The court signaled that a likely sentence would be two to three years of probation with an order prohibiting Lau from driving. The sentence is expected to be confirmed at a later hearing.

How the court described the sentencing considerations

In explaining why prison time was unlikely, the court cited factors presented during proceedings, including the defendant’s age, lack of prior criminal history, and expressions of remorse. The judge also described incarceration as potentially equivalent to a life-ending punishment for an elderly defendant.

Prosecutors argued for a more punitive outcome in light of the number of deaths and allegations of extreme driving behavior. Defense counsel described the defendant as remorseful and said she has faced mental health consequences following the crash.

Relatives challenge the outcome and pursue civil claims

Family members of the victims addressed the court to oppose a sentence that does not include jail time, describing the impact of the deaths and urging additional restrictions and sanctions beyond probation.

Separately, civil litigation related to the crash is ongoing. A wrongful-death lawsuit was filed in July 2024. In May 2025, relatives also filed a separate civil action seeking to void certain property transfers made after the first lawsuit, alleging the moves were intended to reduce assets available for potential liability.

• Criminal case: four felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter resolved by a no-contest plea
• Likely sentence indicated in court: probation and a driving prohibition, with confirmation at a future hearing
• Civil cases: wrongful-death claim and a challenge to property transfers made after litigation began

The court has not finalized the sentence, but has outlined a probation-focused approach that would keep the defendant out of prison while restricting future driving.

The next court date is expected to finalize the sentencing terms and any additional conditions attached to probation.