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Bicyclist Accused in Pedestrian's Death Pleads Not Guilty
San Francisco Police officers talk with bicyclist who collided with a pedestrian near the intersection of Embarcadero and Mission Streets in San Francisco, CA on July 15, 2011.
Randolph Ang, 23, was riding his bike at about 8:30 a.m. on July 15 when he allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Mission Street and The Embarcadero and struck 68-year-old Dionette Cherney, police and prosecutors said.
The collision caused Cherney to fall and hit the back of her head. She was taken to San Francisco General Hospital, where she died on Aug. 11.
Ang was cited at the scene and released, but was charged in the case on Nov. 10 after prosecutors received the final medical examiner's report on the accident.
He returned to court today to be arraigned on the manslaughter charge and pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutor Sarah Hawkins had asked for Ang to be held on $15,000 bail, but the judge declined to take him into custody, saying he was not a flight risk or a danger to the community.
Ang's attorney, Tony Brass, said outside of court that "there's no question this is a tragic accident, and no one feels that more than my client."
Brass said Ang had recently graduated from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and had gotten his first job as an assistant media planner at a marketing company along The Embarcadero, and was just trying to get to work on time.
"He feels terrible about what happened to this woman," Brass said.
District Attorney George Gascon said outside of court this morning that the case "really illustrates a problem we're having in our city" with "careless behavior" by motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
Gascon said that although Ang was a "young man with no criminal record ... we have to hold people accountable and send the message that a red light means stop."
Brass also acknowledged that the case highlights a hot-button issue in San Francisco because "most people are annoyed at how bicyclists ride around the city."
But he said the case is unique because the chance of a bicyclist killing a pedestrian "is very slim."
Ang faces up to a year in county jail if he is convicted. The case will return to court on Dec. 13 for a pretrial conference.
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Hank E. Panky
You mean to tell me that people in this country actually get charged if they strike a pedestrian with a vehicle? Wow, who woulda thunk? Well, in that case, a lot of DAs out there better start charging all those 1 percenters who attacked peaceful protesters with their precious Mercedes as well as the cop who charged the Occupiers with his 2,000 lb. motorcycle in Atlanta. What's good for the goose should be good for the gander, right? Riiiiiiiiiiight!
Rob Anderson
I still don't believe that the charges were delayed for legitimate reasons. Did you reporter ask the coroner why his report took so long? The accident happened last July, and Cherney died in August. Convenient that D.A./candidate Gascon didn't have to file charges---and antagonize the city's bike people---until after the election.
Recall that a year ago, when Gascon was still Chief of Police, he criticized Critical Mass. He understands now that cyclists---and the Bicycle Coalition---occupy a privileged place in City Hall's political calculations.
http://www.sfexaminer.com/blogs/under-dome/gascon-reviewing-critical-mass-policies
Frank DeFelice
He should get probation without going to jail. This incident was traumatic to Ang (I'm guessing). Everyone knows red light means stop. How many drivers run red lights? I understand a DA's personnel file looks better with more convictions, but let's use common sense. Ang doesn't belong with criminals in jail.
Chris Ellen Montgomery
I feel for Ang... However an innocent woman died because HE RAN A RED LIGHT... If that were my mother... There are no consequences for this? It's rather outrageous!
I think ALL bikes should be pay to be registered as vehicles; they use the roads & bikes are a encouraged mode of transportation. The "Drivers" should be licensed too. This would help with recovery if the bike is stolen.
I am disabled (I have MS) and I'm rather shaky on my feet at times; I'm afraid to cross streets for fear the bikes that FLY through the red light...
No officials are dealing with this situation, the Bike Coalition is powerful. With the increase in bike use & bike lanes there needs to be a corresponding enforcement of the rules of the road...