Two fatal crashes on Lombard Street lead to calls for pedestrian safety

SAN FRANCISCO ( KRON ) – Pedestrian safety advocates spoke out on Wednesday after two deadly pedestrian crashes on San Francisco’s Lombard Street in just two weeks. State Sen. Scott Wiener is currently waiting on Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a bill that aims to make state-owned roads safer.

The non-profit Walk SF is putting the word out about the two recent pedestrian deaths by putting signs up. So far, more people have now died from crashes this year compared to all of 2023.

New signs hanging along Lombard Street mark two sites where pedestrians got hit and killed by a driver. Walk SF says the two recent deaths are adding to an alarming total – there have now been 18 pedestrian deaths in San Francisco so far in 2018.

A 70-year-old woman was hit by a driver on Sept. 12 at the intersection of Lombard and Laguna streets. She has since died from her injuries.

On Saturday, a 52-year-old man was hit and killed by a car on Lombard and Gough streets.

“My heart is broken for two families who just lost loved ones in the last two weeks within two blocks. It’s unbelievable,” said Marta Lindsey with Walk SF.

The signs caught the eye of Johanna Mhenusson, who has lived off of Lombard Street for nearly 30 years.

“It sends a message to me that it is not safe to walk around in this neighborhood,” she said.

Mhenusson has also been driving for Lyft and Uber in the city for a decade. She says she sees a lot of reckless driving and not enough enforcement.

“I see people running red lights at least 5-6 times a day. It is just a disrespect for human life. It has to stop,” she said.

Lombard Street is one of the main arteries for drivers to get to and from the Golden Gate Bridge. Lindsey says speeding has become out of control.

“The number one thing that needs to happen on this street is speeds need to come down,” she said. “Right now it is designed in a way that encourages drivers to go way too fast. The speed limit is 30 MPH despite these being residential streets.”

A bill put forth by Sen. Wiener aims to help make state-owned streets like Lombard safer.

“Makes sure that Caltrans is working closely with the City of San Francisco on Lombard, 19th Avenue, all of the various state-owned roads in SF to improve safety. I know Lombard is a very fast street, it’s not the most friendly street for pedestrians trying to cross it,” Wiener said.

This bill is currently on Gov. Newsom’s desk waiting for the green light.

“We need Governor Newsom to sign SB 960, which would hold Caltrans accountable for streets like this,” said Lindsey.

This is Wiener’s second time putting forth a bill like this. The last one got vetoed by the governor, but he’s hopeful this one will get signed. Newsom has until September 30th to sign or veto bills.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.