Victim in deadly 7car SF crash involving Tesla and Waymo identified
Jan 22, 2025
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The victim in a deadly seven-car crash involving a Tesla Sunday evening in San Francisco has been identified. Mikhael Romanenko, 27, of San Francisco, was killed in the crash which took place in SF's SoMa neighborhood, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The driver of the speeding Tesla who allegedly caused the crash, 66-year-old Jia Lin Zheng, has been arrested and booked on multiple charges, including vehicular manslaughter, reckless driving causing injury, felony vandalism, and speeding.
Photo courtesy of Romanenko family
The crash, which occurred just after 6 p.m. in the area of 6th and Harrison streets, also involved a driverless Waymo robotaxi. According to Waymo, the autonomous vehicle was hit from behind by a speeding car that was going about 98 miles per hour and crashed into multiple other vehicles.
The Waymo was unoccupied at the time.
A Waymo representative told KRON4 the company was "deeply saddened" by the crash and "grateful" that no one was in the vehicle when it was struck from behind.
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The victim, now identified as Romanenko, was found dead at the scene. Two other victims were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. A dog also died in the crash, according to the San Francisco Fire Department.
Prior to the SoMa crash, there were multiple hit-and-run collisions on northbound Interstate 280. Investigators are working to determine if there is a connection.
Romanenko's next-of-kin have been notified, the OCME said. The agency declined to offer further comment.
An SFMTA representative told KRON4 that the agency is in the process of installing pedestrian bulb-outs at the intersection where the crash occurred to help slow vehicle speeds and restrict turn movements.
The San Francisco District Attorney's Office said that despite an arrest having been made, the investigation into the crash remains ongoing.