Victim ID'd In Fatal Tour-Bus Accident; SF City Hall Aware Pedestrian-Safety Measures Need Improvement
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— The investigation continues into Thursday's deadly crash in the crosswalk in front of San Francisco City Hall where a motorized-cable car ran over an accountant from the City Controller's Office.
Priscila "Precy" Moreto a 68-year-old San Francisco resident, was struck by a cable car-style tour bus in a crosswalk near the corner of Polk and McAllister streets at around 11:30 a.m., according to police.
Mayor Ed Lee said the incident would be "thoroughly investigated."
"This incident is tragic and also reminds us that we all have a shared responsibility to protect and care for one another on our busy streets," Lee said.
Victim ID'd In Fatal Tour-Bus Accident; SF City Hall Aware Pedestrian-Safety Measures Need Improvement
"Precy was a dedicated employee who served our city and residents with great distinction. Our thoughts and prayers remain with her family, friends and colleagues during this time of mourning."
It's not clear why the driver of the vehicle, owned by Classic Cable Car Charter didn't see Moreto.
Bob Salmon, a managing partner with the company, told KCBS as far as he knows, the driver was not narrating the tour to the passengers.
"I believe there was a separate tour guide, but I cannot confirm that," he said. According to police who responded to the scene, something distracted the driver. The driver told police he did not see the victim until after she was under the wheels of the coach.
Passengers said they were occupied by looking at City Hall. Some tour bus drivers do wear headsets and narrate tours legally as they drive.
The Controller's Office declined to comment on Moreto's death. She was said to be a longtime employee.
Meanwhile, Mayor Lee said this incident is another example of how dangerous city streets can be and that voters should pass Proposition A, a $500 million transportation bond measure.
"Almost $300 million of the $500 million is dedicated (in most part) to pedestrian safety, education, enforcement," said Lee. He said the measure would include funding for more signage and traffic signals.
A signal was in the works at the currently-marked crosswalk where the victim was killed and will be installed next year.
Supervisor Scott Wiener said some people don't pay enough attention to her surroundings.
"Our roads are being used by a lot of different users drivers, bikes, pedestrians and people really have to be on the lookout," he said.
As San Francisco gets more crowded, Wiener said the city must step up traffic enforcement and improve to make them safer to navigate.
