An 80-year-old California woman accused of killing a family of four while they waited at a bus stop is asking the court to reduce her felony charges to misdemeanors, according to her attorneys.
Mary Fong Lau is facing four felony counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence in the deaths of 40-year-old Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 38-year-old Matilde Moncado Ramos Pinto, and their two young children, an infant and a toddler.
Lau’s defense attorney is expected to formally request reduced charges during a court appearance on Friday, asking that she be allowed to plead guilty to misdemeanor offenses, local ABC affiliate KGO reported.
The crash occurred on March 16, 2024, as the family waited at a bus stop near the West Portal Muni station on their way to the zoo. Lau, driving a Mercedes SUV at an estimated 65 mph, struck and killed all four victims, according to the report.
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Lau told an eyewitness that she tried to apply the brakes but accidentally pressed the gas pedal instead, the San Francisco Chronicle reported, citing court documents.
Later, during an interview with police at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Lau reportedly gave a different account. She told investigators she was delivering food to her brother when the vehicle suddenly malfunctioned and accelerated rapidly. Lau said she attempted to brake and shift the car into park but was unable to slow it down.
The victims’ family has strongly opposed any reduction in charges. Ramos Pinto’s brother told KGO that the loss extended beyond the four lives taken.
“Part of us all died,” he said. “We’re vehemently against them, because no evidence has been provided that would suggest this isn’t gross negligence. I want to see this person held accountable and responsible for her actions.”
Prosecutors with the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office have also filed a motion opposing Lau’s request for reduced charges.
In addition to the criminal case, the victims’ families have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Lau that is currently proceeding in civil court. They are represented by attorney Jim Quadra.
“If the court agrees and drops these charges, she could have acted with gross negligence in taking four lives and face only misdemeanor charges,” Quadra told KGO. “To most people, that would look like a slap on the wrist for taking four lives.”
In the civil case, family members have also accused Lau of hiding assets to prevent them from being included in any potential settlement or judgment, according to local Fox affiliate KTVU.
Leave a Comment