Published: July 18, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(San Francisco, CA) – A 72-year-old woman was hospitalized after a man riding a motorized scooter allegedly struck her on a downtown sidewalk near Union Square while fleeing police earlier this week, according to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors said officers first noticed the 35-year-old rider around 8:30 p.m. Monday as he traveled on the scooter along the north sidewalk of Ellis Street heading toward Jones Street. According to the district attorney, an officer recognized the man and was aware of an outstanding warrant issued by the U.S. Marshals Service.
When the officer attempted to stop him, the man allegedly took off, riding the scooter along sidewalks occupied by pedestrians and into moving traffic, the district attorney said. Prosecutors said he traveled the wrong direction for several blocks and disregarded multiple traffic signals, forcing people on foot to step aside to avoid him as he moved between the roadway and the sidewalk.
The district attorney said the rider was heading north on the west sidewalk of Powell Street as he neared O'Farrell Street when he allegedly hit the 72-year-old woman, knocking her down. She was taken to a hospital with a fractured elbow and a broken wrist that needed surgery, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors said the man ran toward the 200 block of O'Farrell Street after the collision and ducked under a table where restaurant patrons were seated before officers took him into custody there. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced Thursday that the man faces several counts, including assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse.
Know Your Rights After a Crash
After a serious crash, California law gives injured people and families limited time to act. Evidence like vehicle data, camera footage, and witness memories fades quickly. A free, no-obligation case review can help you understand your options. Call or text (888) 800-6731, or start a free case review online. Asistencia en español disponible.
Analysis of the Union Square Scooter Collision
When a pedestrian is injured by a scooter or other vehicle on a sidewalk, investigators and civil attorneys typically examine the duties the operator owed to people on foot. Vehicle Code section 21952 provides that a motorist must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian approaching on a sidewalk before driving over or upon it. Vehicle Code section 21235 sets out the operating rules for motorized scooters, including where they may be ridden. If evidence shows those rules were not followed, that framework may become relevant to a civil claim.
Under Civil Code section 1714(a), a person is responsible for injury caused to another by a lack of ordinary care. Where a safety statute is violated, Evidence Code section 669 can create a presumption of negligence if the violation proximately caused the type of injury the statute was meant to prevent and the injured person belongs to the protected class. Whether that presumption applies here would depend on facts developed through the investigation, and no such conclusion can be drawn at this stage.
California follows comparative fault, so any recovery may be adjusted according to each party's share of responsibility. Civil Code section 1431.2 governs how non-economic damages are allocated in proportion to fault. If a civil claim proceeds, Civil Code section 3333 sets the measure of tort damages as the amount needed to compensate for all detriment proximately caused by the wrongful act, which can include medical treatment, surgery, and related losses.
What Injured Pedestrians and Families Can Do
Anyone hurt in a collision like this should obtain a copy of the police report, keep records of medical treatment and any surgery, and preserve evidence such as photographs and witness contact information while memories are fresh. California generally allows two years from the date of injury to bring a personal-injury lawsuit under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, so acting promptly protects your options. If you or a loved one was injured by a scooter or vehicle and have questions about your rights, Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A California pedestrian accident attorney at Yaghmai Law Firm can explain your options and deal with the insurance companies for you. Call or text (888) 800-6731 or request a free case review.
About the Author
Houtan Yaghmai, Esq., President & Managing Attorney of Yaghmai Law Firm, APC. California State Bar No. 298487. Speaks English, French, and Persian. The firm represents personal injury clients throughout Southern California – consultations by phone, text, or video, no office visits required.
This post was assembled with AI assistance from publicly reported news sources cited below. All California Vehicle Code references were verified against leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Facts were re-checked via additional web searches before publication. This post is based on initial news reports and may be updated as new facts develop. Nothing in this article is legal advice. Yaghmai Law Firm, APC is not associated with the investigating agencies and does not represent any party named in this post unless explicitly stated.
Sources:
1. RSS_NBCBAY – SFDA charges man who allegedly hit elderly pedestrian while fleeing police: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/sfda-charges-man-fleeing-police/4115204/
