Biker crossing through the intersection of Market and Castro where Mr. Hui was killed. Photo: Examiner Stock File
City resident and cyclist, Chris Bucchere, 36, charged with felony vehicular manslaughter in the death of a pedestrian, prelim trial began Wednesday in San Francisco Superior Court.
He's accused of running a red light on his bike while speeding, south, downhill on Castro, mowing down Sutchi Hui, 71, mortally injuring him as he crossed the busy Castro/Market intersection with his wife around 8AM on March 29, 2012.
If found guilty of the charges he could be sentenced up to fifteen years in state prison.
Assistant District Attorney Omid Talai presented the prosecution's center pieces of evidence in the case: video footage from traffic and business cams that caught the accident on tape and a number of eyewitnesses testimony.
Nathan Pollak, who was driving down Castro along side Mr. Bucchere testified he saw the defendant run multiple stop signs and red lights minutes before the horrific tragedy.
The victim, 71-year-old Sutchi Hui-SF resident, father and grandfather.
Another witness, Wen Chih Yu, who was in the cross walk a few feet from Mr. Hui and his wife, recalled Mr. Bucchere yelled out as he mashed into him but didn't attempt to slow down what so ever.
"He was going incredibly fast.", she said.
The ugly event sparked a raging debate online as frustrated drivers and pedestrians posted their own personal horror stories involving near death experiences with careless SF cyclists in comment sections posting in neighborhood micro blogs and main stream media alike.
Many SF citizens fed up with poor bike etiquette called for harsher penalties for riders who, in theory, must adhere to the same rules of the road cars do. Others went a step further demanding City officials expand laws around bicycle safety and riding responsibilities beyond current vehicle operating codes offered by the State of California.
Chris Bucchere, the accused, Stanford grad & freelance software designer. Photo: Stanford Alum Online
Adding fuel to the public's moral outrage fire was Mr. Bucchere own callousness and perceived distasteful, cavalier attitude around the accident.
It was revealed he posted in the Mission Cycling AM Google group later regarding the collision. He wrote while he hoped whoever he'd hit was 'really OK', he seemed most distressed about the loss of a really great bike helmet trashed when he fell after hitting Mr. Hui. He eulogized the helmet online:
“In closing, I want to dedicate this story to my late helmet. She died in heroic fashion today as my head slammed into the tarmac... may she die knowing that because she committed the ultimate sacrifice, her rider can live on and ride on. Can I get an amen? Amen.”
Mr. Bucchere's attorney, Ted Cassman, tried to get the charges reduced to a misdemeanor but Superior Court Judge, Andrew Cheng, wasn't having it ruling the existing charges stand.
In court Mr. Bucchere wept quietly as opening statements were read and charges announced.
Mr. Cassman contends Mr. Bucchere had the right of way as Mr. Hui and several other pedestrians entered the cross walk illegally before the red light had turned green granting access to cross. He says his client is a good man, with a clean record and a family to support.
Mr. Bucchere remains free on bond. He's due back in court on March 21st for arraignment unless a satisfactory settlement can be reached between the DA and his attorney before hand.
Google map provides another angle of the Castro and Market intersection.
