With sympathy, and frustration I report another San Francisco MUNI vs. pedestrian fatality which occurred last month. The MUNI death happened on Mission St. between 5th and 6th Streets on Sunday, November 13, 2011.
Over a month later, this injury news is still important, and should not be hidden and ignored.
Failing to pay attention while driving or driving recklessly can and often does lead to serious personal injuries or even deaths. It is essential that the details and facts surrounding these types of MUNI accidents be uncovered, with hopes of learning from past mistakes. Changing unreasonable conduct by MUNI will improve safety.
Questions to ask are how could this death have been avoided, and where was the MUNI operator looking before he struck and killed this man and where was the man walking from before he encountered the bus? Learning that this pedestrian was wearing a security guard uniform, and so was more visible than someone wearing normal street clothes, leads me to question whether the MUNI driver truly was paying attention.
Unfortunately, MUNI’s record is already under scrutiny as it was just announced that, among other incidents, criminal charges could be filed against the MUNI bus operator who fatally struck pedestrian 23-year-old Emily Dunn on Aug. 19.
As a San Francisco MUNI Accident Lawyer, I cringed when I learned that the pedestrian was pinned under the bus until he died. Rescue efforts were valiant, and I do not mean to disparage anyone without knowing the true facts; however, questions should and must be asked. Too many pedestrians are killed in San Francisco and something needs to be done about this now.
My condolences go out to the family of this man.
About the author: Claude Wyle is an aggressive advocate for Bay Area MUNI safety. Claude has decades of experience representing those harmed by the wrongful conduct of others, and, as a San Francisco personal injury attorney, has fought to protect the rights of injured adults and children throughout his legal career.
