SAN FRANCISCO: Vehicular Manslaughter Charges For Castro Bicyclist

A bicyclist who reportedly blew through the intersection at Castro and Market streets will be charged with vehicular manslaughter. The 71 year-old man struck in the crosswalk died on the scene. Such a charge for a bicyclist is extremely rare. The case has roiled San Francisco's blogosphere since the April 6th incident.

The last time there was a fatal collision between a bike and a pedestrian the DA charged it as a misdemeanor. A source told the Chronicle that the DA has strong evidence that shows the bicyclist was grossly negligent. The wreck did prompt city officials to promise that there would be stricter enforcement of traffic laws. Part of the evidence the DA's office has is a motorist that saw the bicyclist, Chris Bucchere, blow through some stop signs and red lights before the accident. A conviction of felony vehicular manslaughter is punishable by up to 16 months in jail.

Here in mostly-flat New York City, I've long told friends that if I'm ever killed on the street, it won't be terrorism. It'll be kung pao chicken hurtling the wrong way on my block. Sometimes they're even on the sidewalk.