SAN FRANCISCO – A woman who survived a multi-car crash in San Francisco that killed her boyfriend and their beloved dog, is mourning her loss.
Linh Luu said she and Mikhael Romanenko, who goes by “Misha,” were planning a life together.
But that dream was cut short when the driver of a Tesla, identified by police as 66-year-old Jia Lin Zheng, was arrested and then released following the Sunday night crash, as the district attorney is investigating the cause of what happened at 6th and Harrison streets. Seven other people, including herself, were injured in the pileup.
Police said that Zheng was speeding.
Luu said she wants her boyfriend to be remembered for the happiness he brought to those around him.
“He was a ball of joy,” she said.
She described the software engineer as being kind, smart and romantic.
“I feel like I’m in a really bad dream, and I’m trying to wake up from it, so I can see him and hug him. And tell him how horrible this dream is,” Luu said.
Linh described what happened before the crash: She and Romanenko were driving with their dog, Keeper, on Interstate 280 heading toward downtown San Francisco, when they took the 6th and Harrison exit and were struck in the crash.
They were on their way to pick up family members to take them to San Francisco International Airport when the crash happened.
She said she never felt the impact.
She blacked out.
“I was on a gurney. I was being wheeled into different doors,” she recalled.
When she regained consciousness, she instinctively knew the man she described as the love of her life and their dog had died.
“You can feel their energy and I didn’t feel his. I couldn’t feel Keeper,” she said.
According to law enforcement, the driver of a black Tesla was involved in a four-car collision on Interstate 280 near the 6th Street exit and took off.
A minute later, paramedics responded to a crash at the intersection of 6th and Harrison that mangled seven vehicles.
Luu suffered from a concussion, broken bones, and underwent two surgeries.
She wanted to attend funeral services for Romanenko, and their dog, so she left the hospital on Wednesday, but plans to return for treatment.
In a written statement, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in part,” It is critical that we take the time to diligently comb through all of the evidence and gather as much information as possible so that we’re able to make the correct charging decision.”
“He (the driver) took away a really, really great person,” said Luu.
Luu said she wants justice for Romanenko, and she’s focused on keeping his memory alive.
She and friends said Romanenko, will be remembered for his ever-present smile.
“I want to live by his legacy of having a kind heart,” she said.
Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at [email protected] or text/leave message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU
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