San Francisco, CA (March 20, 2024) A cloud of sadness continues to hover above the community of West Portal in San Francisco today. The tragic West Portal Muni bus stop crash that killed 3 family members and left their baby in critical condition remains on people’s minds. 40-year-old Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, a Brazilian citizen, and his wife, 38-year-old Matilde Moncada Ramos Pinto, from Portugal, were both killed in this terrible accident on Saturday, March 16th. Their toddler, 1-year-old Joaquin Ramos Pinto de Oliveira, also sustained fatal injuries, according to officers. Caue Oliveira, an infant, was the only family member to survive and remains in the hospital in serious condition.
The Oliveira family was on their way to the zoo on Saturday, just after 12:00 p.m. as they waited near the bus stop at the intersection of Lenox Way and Ulloa Street. A Mercedes SUV approached the bus stop from the east, driving at a high rate of speed. The SUV, driven by 78-year-old Mary Fong Lau, swerved and hopped the curb near the bus stop, officers said. The vehicle slammed into the bus stop and then went on to hit a pole and a fire hydrant before it crashed into the West Portal Branch Library, where it finally came to a stop. Witnesses told police officers that Lau was driving between 50 and 70 miles per hour at the time of the collision.
Emergency crews hurried to the traumatic scene where they found Diego Oliveira and Joaquin Oliveira with fatal injuries. Both were pronounced dead at the scene by officials. Matilde Oliveira had sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to the nearest hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. With heavy hearts, emergency medical personnel pronounced her dead at the hospital. The baby, Caue, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a local hospital to receive treatment. Caue Oliveira remains in the hospital in serious condition.
The driver of the vehicle, Mary Fong Lau, was also injured in this collision. She was hospitalized following the crash, but was later arrested, officers said. Lau faces several charges, including driving the wrong way, vehicular manslaughter and driving at an unsafe speed.
A memorial has been created at the scene of the accident. Three pairs of shoes sit as a sad reminder of what occurred at that bus stop. Members of the community have left stuffed animals and flowers at the site in remembrance of the family that was killed.
Our team here at Accident News Now extends our heartfelt condolences to the extended family of the Oliveiros during this tragic and difficult time of loss. We also wish baby Caue a full and speedy recovery. Have you or someone you know been affected by this traumatic accident? Our team of legal experts is here to assist you during this time, or to simply answer any questions you may have.
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