- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 410
San Francisco Chronicle
Two SF hit-run drivers sought
Canadian naval officer, 77-year-old San Franciscan killed
Demian Bulwa, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, August 19, 2007
(08-19) 16:30 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- Police are seeking two hit-and-run drivers after separate late-night crashes this weekend in San Francisco killed two pedestrians -- a Canadian Navy lieutenant on shore leave and a retired American Automobile Association inspector who was struck near his Castro neighborhood home.
In the first collision, just before 2 a.m. Saturday, police said a silver or gray Mercedes-Benz traveling southbound on the Embarcadero struck a pedestrian crossing east at Howard Street, smashing the windshield and sending the victim flying through the air.
Mark Ashley, a 27-year-old Toronto resident and lieutenant in the Canadian Navy, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was likely returning to Pier 17 and his ship, Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Calgary, said Kelly Larkin, the commander of the guided-missile frigate.
Larkin said the ship arrived Friday afternoon in San Francisco and is scheduled to depart Tuesday, with a destination of "one of the world hot spots." Ashley was the ship's above-water warfare officer, overseeing a team that controls missiles and guns.
"We hope the driver will come forward so the investigation can complete and the family and the ship's company can achieve closure," Larkin said.
"When you go into combat you have, in your mind, prepared for the possibility of injuries or death," he said. "But when you're on a port visit, your mind-set is different. You're looking for some relaxation so you can carry out your duties when you go to sea."
The second fatal collision occurred at 1:30 a.m. today in the Castro neighborhood. Again, the driver quickly fled.
Police said Roger Tennyson, 77, had just parked his Toyota RAV4 outside his home on the 100 block of Sanchez Street and had emerged from the vehicle when he was struck. He, too, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police Sgt. Neville Gittens, a department spokesman, said investigators were still working on a description of the vehicle.
Tennyson's partner of 14 years, Larry Bartholomew, said the victim was a retired AAA inspector of resorts, hotels and restaurants who loved to travel -- especially to New Orleans, where the couple had planned to make a trip this Thursday.
Tennyson grew up in Minnesota and Petaluma before he graduated from San Francisco State University and settled down in the city. Three years ago, Bartholomew said, he had six-way coronary bypass surgery and came through in fine shape.
"He was enjoying his retirement," said Bartholomew, who suspects the hit-and-run driver didn't stop because he was intoxicated. "I'm miserable. He was a good man and he had a lot of friends. I'm in disbelief."
Sgt. Gittens said the cause of the two collisions -- including whether the pedestrians had the right of way -- is under investigation.
E-mail Demian Bulwa at dbulwa@sfchronicle.com.
Story Here
RIP Sir!
Two SF hit-run drivers sought
Canadian naval officer, 77-year-old San Franciscan killed
Demian Bulwa, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, August 19, 2007
(08-19) 16:30 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- Police are seeking two hit-and-run drivers after separate late-night crashes this weekend in San Francisco killed two pedestrians -- a Canadian Navy lieutenant on shore leave and a retired American Automobile Association inspector who was struck near his Castro neighborhood home.
In the first collision, just before 2 a.m. Saturday, police said a silver or gray Mercedes-Benz traveling southbound on the Embarcadero struck a pedestrian crossing east at Howard Street, smashing the windshield and sending the victim flying through the air.
Mark Ashley, a 27-year-old Toronto resident and lieutenant in the Canadian Navy, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was likely returning to Pier 17 and his ship, Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Calgary, said Kelly Larkin, the commander of the guided-missile frigate.
Larkin said the ship arrived Friday afternoon in San Francisco and is scheduled to depart Tuesday, with a destination of "one of the world hot spots." Ashley was the ship's above-water warfare officer, overseeing a team that controls missiles and guns.
"We hope the driver will come forward so the investigation can complete and the family and the ship's company can achieve closure," Larkin said.
"When you go into combat you have, in your mind, prepared for the possibility of injuries or death," he said. "But when you're on a port visit, your mind-set is different. You're looking for some relaxation so you can carry out your duties when you go to sea."
The second fatal collision occurred at 1:30 a.m. today in the Castro neighborhood. Again, the driver quickly fled.
Police said Roger Tennyson, 77, had just parked his Toyota RAV4 outside his home on the 100 block of Sanchez Street and had emerged from the vehicle when he was struck. He, too, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police Sgt. Neville Gittens, a department spokesman, said investigators were still working on a description of the vehicle.
Tennyson's partner of 14 years, Larry Bartholomew, said the victim was a retired AAA inspector of resorts, hotels and restaurants who loved to travel -- especially to New Orleans, where the couple had planned to make a trip this Thursday.
Tennyson grew up in Minnesota and Petaluma before he graduated from San Francisco State University and settled down in the city. Three years ago, Bartholomew said, he had six-way coronary bypass surgery and came through in fine shape.
"He was enjoying his retirement," said Bartholomew, who suspects the hit-and-run driver didn't stop because he was intoxicated. "I'm miserable. He was a good man and he had a lot of friends. I'm in disbelief."
Sgt. Gittens said the cause of the two collisions -- including whether the pedestrians had the right of way -- is under investigation.
E-mail Demian Bulwa at dbulwa@sfchronicle.com.
Story Here
RIP Sir!
