Family Of SoMa Cyclist Killed By Muni Bus To Receive $3.25 Million Settlement

Family Of SoMa Cyclist Killed By Muni Bus To Receive $3.25 Million SettlementPhoto: Google Maps
Brittany Hopkins
Published on July 21, 2016

In a closed-door session on Tuesday, the SFMTA's board of directors approved a $3.25 million lawsuit settlement, stemming from a fatal collision in 2013 that left a cyclist dead at the intersection of 11th, Bryant and Division streets, SFBay reports.

At about 8:40am on Oct. 18th, 2013, Cheng Jin Lai, a 78-year-old father of seven, was biking from his home in SoMa to dispose of his family's recycling when he was crushed by the back right tire of a 27-Bryant Muni bus.

In their suit, Lai's family targeted the SFMTA for damages for wrongful death and funeral and burial expenses, due to the bus' missing safety guard. The lawsuit also claimed that SF Public Works "negligently failed to inspect, maintain, control and/or repair the subject roadway, lanes and intersection for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians in this area, so as to create this dangerous condition which caused and contributed to the death of the Decedent.”