The Brief
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The driver, Jia Lin Zheng, was released from jail as prosecutors continue to gather and review evidence.
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San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said her office needs more time to determine whether to charge Zheng.
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Zheng’s Tesla crashed into seven cars on Sunday, killing 27-year-old Mikhael Romanenko.
SAN FRANCISCO – The driver who plowed his Tesla into seven cars in San Francisco over the weekend, killing one person, has been released.
Released from jail
What we know
The San Francisco Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Jia Lin Zheng, 66, was released from custody.
No charges filed
What they’re saying
The District Attorney’s Office said it is still gathering and reviewing evidence before determining whether to charge Zheng.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins asked the community for patience as the investigation into the fatal collision continues. She referenced the delay in charging the driver in a fatal crash in the West Portal neighborhood in July that killed a family of four.
“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,” Jenkins said in a statement on Thursday.
Jenkins said officers had probable cause to arrest Zheng based on preliminary evidence, though he has been released.
“The extent and nature of any criminal liability depends on many factors. For example, toxicology results alone can take more than 30 days to obtain and, vehicle operating systems will need to be carefully analyzed by experts and assessed to determine whether mechanical issues may have played a role in this incident,” said Jenkins. “These are just two examples of the continued investigation that must occur and cannot be completed within the 48 hours that we legally have to render a charging decision.”
He had been booked into the county jail on Monday on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, vandalism, and speeding.
Possible cause?
What we don’t know
It remains unclear what caused Zheng’s Tesla to crash into multiple cars around 6 p.m. Sunday near 6th and Harrison streets, killing Mikhael Romanenko, 27, of San Francisco, and a dog. Seven other people were injured in the pileup, firefighters said.
One of the cars involved in the crash was an unoccupied autonomous Waymo vehicle.
The Source
Information for this story comes from the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, along with the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office and previous reporting.
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