San Francisco police believe the driver that was responsible for an eight-car crash on Thursday that led to the death of a pedestrian and injured three other individuals was driving under the influence of alcohol and recklessly drove a stolen vehicle.
Police arrested 31-year-old Jerry Lyons, who was one of four injured during the incident, on suspicion of multiple vehicular charges. “Lyons was released on (Post Release Community Supervision) to county probation from California State Prison following a grand theft conviction,” said police.
Horrific Car Crash
However, authorities did not reveal the date of Lyons release nor the prison that he came from. In December 2020, California Highway Patrol officers took the suspect in custody for allegedly driving a stolen car, not having a driver’s license, and driving under the influence. Officials did not immediately reveal whether he was charged or convicted during the encounter.
There were few details known about what happened before the crash that occurred near Higuera Avenue and Lake Merced Boulevard. On Thursday, however, police said the 2003 Ford Explorer Lyons allegedly drove was reportedly stolen from San Jose. The fatal incident shook the highway before 8:00 a.m.
First respondents discovered a 26-year-old man on the roadway. Authorities declared the man dead at the scene, and his identity was not immediately revealed. Police quickly transferred the man’s body to the side of the street and covered it with a yellow tarp. Authorities said the victim flew after he was hit by other vehicles from the crash.
Police found and transported three other passengers of vehicles involved in the horrific crash to a nearby hospital. Medical professionals treated the victims’ non-life-threatening injuries. As of Thursday night, no details about their conditions were revealed. Additionally, authorities said Lyons was also taken to the hospital and was later released and booked.
Nearly two hours after police arrived at the scene of the incident, the roadway was still filled with glass and debris from the crashed vehicles. Officials quickly shut down traffic in both directions of Lake Merced Boulevard, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
