Cheryl Coleman Killed in San Francisco Pedestrian Accident
The fatal collision occurred at the intersection of Brannan and Seventh streets in the South of Market neighborhood
California leads the nation in pedestrian death, with over 1,100 deaths annually, a grim statistic reflected in a deadly morning on city streets. Cheryl Coleman, 61, of San Francisco, was killed in a pedestrian accident at Brannan and Seventh streets in San Francisco on Wednesday, according to the San Francisco Police Department.
The vehicle struck the pedestrian in the South of Market neighborhood intersection at approximately 5:31 a.m. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
Coleman was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Police reported that they did not find evidence of alcohol or drugs involving the driver.
Less than an hour later, a second pedestrian was found dead in the 900 block of Geneva Avenue in the Excelsior neighborhood. The pedestrian advocacy group Walk San Francisco noted this marked the third pedestrian death on that corridor in three years.
These incidents align with state trends, as California's pedestrian death rate of 2.84 per 100,000 residents sits 25% higher than the national average. Both crashes remain under investigation by local authorities.
How do historical crash frequencies impact pedestrian safety?
While preliminary reports indicate the driver in the South of Market crash was not impaired, investigators routinely examine toxicology as a standard protocol in fatal pedestrian collisions.
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "In pedestrian accidents, impaired driving remains a critical focal point for investigators, as alcohol or drug use drastically reduces a driver's reaction time and situational awareness in urban corridors."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrians accounted for 18% of all traffic deaths nationwide in 2024.
What are the legal options for families after a fatal collision?
Families navigating the sudden loss of a loved one in a traffic collision often face significant financial and emotional burdens.
Independent investigations help determine liability, examining factors such as right-of-way, vehicle speed, and intersection design.
California wrongful death statute
Under California law (Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60), surviving family members of a pedestrian killed in a traffic collision may pursue a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of income, and loss of companionship. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond of Bond Legal noted that "Wrongful death claims in pedestrian accidents rely on establishing the driver's negligence, which is evaluated under the state's pure comparative fault system." This system allows families to recover damages even if the pedestrian was partially at fault, though the final compensation is reduced by their percentage of responsibility.