Judge Faces Pressure to Reconsider Sentence in West Portal Crash

Victim's family alleges driver transferred assets to avoid liability in civil lawsuit

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The judge in the case of Mary Fong Lau, the 80-year-old driver accused of causing a fatal crash in San Francisco's West Portal neighborhood that killed a family of four, is facing pressure to reconsider his intention to sentence Lau to probation without jail time. The victims' family has alleged that Lau transferred several pieces of real property to new entities after they filed a wrongful death lawsuit, which they say belies her claims of remorse.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tension between criminal sentencing and civil liability, as well as the challenges victims' families face in seeking justice and compensation. The judge's decision on Lau's sentence could have significant implications for public trust in the legal system's ability to hold negligent drivers accountable.

The details

Lau, who had no prior criminal record and was not under the influence at the time of the crash, pleaded no contest to four counts of felony vehicular homicide. The victims' family has accused Lau of attempting to hide her assets by transferring real estate properties to new entities, which they say undermines her claims of remorse. The judge has expressed sympathy for Lau, stating that she will "spend the rest of her days living with the knowledge of the harm she has caused." However, the judge still has the option to reconsider his sentencing decision, either by requiring Lau to recapture any transferred properties as a condition of probation or by holding a further hearing to determine if she did, in fact, move assets to avoid liability in the civil lawsuit.

  • The fatal crash occurred in March 2024.
  • The victims' family filed a wrongful death lawsuit after the crash.
  • The judge expressed his intention to sentence Lau to probation without jail time in a recent hearing.

The players

Mary Fong Lau

An 80-year-old driver accused of causing a fatal crash in San Francisco's West Portal neighborhood that killed a family of four.

Judge Bruce Chan

The San Francisco Superior Court judge presiding over the case and who has expressed intent to sentence Lau to probation without jail time.

Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, Matilde Moncada Ramos Pinto

The victims killed in the West Portal crash, a family of four who had recently settled in San Francisco.

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What they’re saying

“Lau is going to spend the rest of her days living with the knowledge of the harm she has caused to others.”

— Judge Bruce Chan (San Francisco Chronicle)

“If true, that action belies Lau's claims of true remorse.”

— Attorneys for the victims' family (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge has the option to reconsider his sentencing decision and hold a further hearing to determine if Lau did transfer assets to avoid liability in the civil lawsuit.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex balance between criminal sentencing and civil liability, as well as the challenges victims' families face in seeking justice and compensation. The judge's decision on Lau's sentence could have significant implications for public trust in the legal system's ability to hold negligent drivers accountable.