West Portal crash sentencing and lawsuits
Mary Fong Lau was sentenced on March 26, 2026, in San Francisco, to six days in jail, two years of probation, and a three-year driver's license revocation for pleading no contest to four counts of vehicular manslaughter in the fatal March 2024 West Portal crash that killed a family of four. As of March 26, 2026, this sentence has drawn outrage from victims' families, who also filed a wrongful death civil suit and a second lawsuit alleging Lau transferred properties to avoid asset seizure. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Bruce Chan, who previously indicated Lau would likely not serve jail time, is planning to retire this year. Victims' families launched a petition with over 8,000 signatures demanding "meaningful consequences" for Lau, 80, who was speeding at over 70 mph when she crashed her SUV into a bus stop.
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March 2026 — 3 developments
Mary Fong Lau was sentenced to six days in jail, two years of probation, and 200 hours of community service for the fatal West Portal crash.
Mary Fong Lau was sentenced to six days in jail, two years of probation, and 200 hours of community service for the fatal West Portal crash. Her driver's license was revoked for three years, a sentence that has drawn outrage from victims' families.
Mary Fong Lau has been sentenced to two years of probation, 200 hours of community service, and a th…
Mary Fong Lau has been sentenced to two years of probation, 200 hours of community service, and a three-year driver's license revocation for pleading no contest to four counts of vehicular manslaughter in the fatal 2024 West Portal crash. The victims' family members have also filed a wrongful death civil suit and a second lawsuit alleging Lau transferred properties to avoid asset seizure for potential judgments.
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Bruce Chan, who previously indicated that Mary Fong Lau, convicte…
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Bruce Chan, who previously indicated that Mary Fong Lau, convicted in the fatal West Portal crash, would likely not serve jail time, is planning to retire this year. Victims' families have accused Lau of transferring assets to avoid financial penalties, which they argue contradicts her claims of remorse.
February 2026 — 8 developments
Relatives of the victims killed in the West Portal crash have launched a petition with over 8,000 si…
Relatives of the victims killed in the West Portal crash have launched a petition with over 8,000 signatures demanding the judge impose "meaningful consequences" on defendant Mary Fong Lau. An opinion piece suggests it is not too late for the judge to reconsider his intention to sentence Lau to probation without jail time.
The judge overseeing Mary Fong Lau's fatal crash case is facing pressure to reconsider his intention to sentence her to probation without jail time.
The judge overseeing Mary Fong Lau's fatal crash case is facing pressure to reconsider his intention to sentence her to probation without jail time. Victims' families allege Lau transferred properties after the wrongful death lawsuit was filed, contradicting her expressions of remorse. The fatal crash occurred in March 2024, killing a family of four.
Experts are weighing in on why Mary Fong Lau, 80, is likely to avoid prison time for the fatal West Portal crash that killed a family of four.
Experts are weighing in on why Mary Fong Lau, 80, is likely to avoid prison time for the fatal West Portal crash that killed a family of four. The San Francisco judge overseeing the case indicated he was unlikely to impose prison time, home detention, or community service, despite prosecutors' objections. This has led to widespread outrage and confusion among the public and victims' families.
The families of the victims killed in the March 2024 West Portal crash have accused Mary Fong Lau of…
The families of the victims killed in the March 2024 West Portal crash have accused Mary Fong Lau of attempting to hide assets through financial transactions while pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit. Lau, 80, previously pleaded no contest to four felony counts of vehicular manslaughter for the incident that killed a family of four.
A San Francisco judge has indicated that Mary Fong Lau, 80, who pleaded no contest to killing a family of four, will likely receive probation without jail time.
A San Francisco judge has indicated that Mary Fong Lau, 80, who pleaded no contest to killing a family of four, will likely receive probation without jail time. Victims' family members expressed feeling deeply disrespected by the proposed consequences, with one stating there is no jail time, no community service, and no admission of guilt. Lau was speeding at over 70 mph when she crashed her SUV into a bus stop in 2024.
The case continues to draw public attention and criticism, with ongoing debate about whether the leg…
The case continues to draw public attention and criticism, with ongoing debate about whether the legal system is adequately holding drivers accountable for fatal accidents, particularly concerning elderly defendants.
Family members of the victims express their dismay and feelings of disrespect regarding the potentia…
Family members of the victims express their dismay and feelings of disrespect regarding the potential leniency in Lau's sentencing, emphasizing that the plea avoids moral accountability for the loss of four lives.
Mary Fong Lau, 80, changes her plea from not guilty to no contest to four felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter.
Mary Fong Lau, 80, changes her plea from not guilty to no contest to four felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter. The judge indicates that Lau is likely to receive 2-3 years of probation and be prohibited from driving, citing her age, lack of criminal history, and remorse.
January 2026 — 1 developments
Mary Fong Lau's attorneys argue for her felony charges to be reduced to misdemeanors, a move strongl…
Mary Fong Lau's attorneys argue for her felony charges to be reduced to misdemeanors, a move strongly opposed by the victims' family and their legal representatives, who view it as insufficient accountability.
May 2025 — 3 developments
A new lawsuit filed on May 16, 2025, alleges that Mary Fong Lau, convicted in the fatal West Portal …
A new lawsuit filed on May 16, 2025, alleges that Mary Fong Lau, convicted in the fatal West Portal crash, strategically delayed the criminal case and transferred multiple properties out of her trust to avoid them being included in the wrongful death lawsuit. Victims' attorneys view this as a tactic to delay proceedings.
The parents of the family killed in the March 2024 West Portal crash have filed a second civil lawsuit against driver Mary Fong Lau.
The parents of the family killed in the March 2024 West Portal crash have filed a second civil lawsuit against driver Mary Fong Lau. The lawsuit accuses Lau of fraudulently transferring real estate interests to avoid paying damages, alleging she transferred ownership of three San Francisco properties to two LLCs on August 8, 2024, after the initial wrongful death lawsuit was filed.
The relatives of the deceased family file a second civil lawsuit against Mary Fong Lau, asking a jud…
The relatives of the deceased family file a second civil lawsuit against Mary Fong Lau, asking a judge to void alleged financial transfers made after the initial civil suit was filed. They accuse Lau of transferring millions of dollars in property to avoid potential financial penalties.
July 2024 — 2 developments
The surviving parents of Diego Cardoso de Oliveira and Matilde Moncada Ramos Pinto file a wrongful death civil suit against Mary Fong Lau, seeking unspecified damages.
The surviving parents of Diego Cardoso de Oliveira and Matilde Moncada Ramos Pinto file a wrongful death civil suit against Mary Fong Lau, seeking unspecified damages.
San Francisco's District Attorney announces that Mary Fong Lau, then 78, has been charged with four felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter.
San Francisco's District Attorney announces that Mary Fong Lau, then 78, has been charged with four felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter. The charges were filed after an investigation found no evidence of substances or mechanical issues playing a role in the crash.
May 2024 — 1 developments
As the investigation continues, law enforcement probes whether there was a mechanical failure in Lau's vehicle, as initial toxicology reports did not show impairment.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement probes whether there was a mechanical failure in Lau's vehicle, as initial toxicology reports did not show impairment. Police also plan to subpoena Lau's cell phone records to rule out inattentive driving.
March 2024 — 2 developments
The infant critically injured in the March 2024 West Portal crash has died, bringing the total fatalities to five.
The infant critically injured in the March 2024 West Portal crash has died, bringing the total fatalities to five. The infant's parents and brother had previously died in the crash. The driver, Mary Fong Lau, 78 at the time, is accused of vehicular manslaughter.
Mary Fong Lau, 78, crashes her Mercedes SUV into a bus stop in San Francisco's West Portal neighborhood while reportedly speeding at over 70 mph in a 40 mph zone.
Mary Fong Lau, 78, crashes her Mercedes SUV into a bus stop in San Francisco's West Portal neighborhood while reportedly speeding at over 70 mph in a 40 mph zone. The crash kills Diego Cardoso de Oliveira (40), his wife Matilde Moncada Ramos Pinto (38), and their two sons, 1-year-old Joaquim and 3-month-old Cauê.
January 2024 — 1 developments
A San Francisco Superior Court judge rules that Mary Fong Lau, 80, will face four felony counts of g…
A San Francisco Superior Court judge rules that Mary Fong Lau, 80, will face four felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter, denying a motion by her attorneys to reduce the charges. The judge notes that the case involves unexplained circumstances and tragic loss of life.