San Francisco Chronicle

Supe: Car that flipped over public stairway likely stolen

- By Jessica Flores Reach Jessica Flores: jessica.flores@sfchronicl­e.com; Twitter: @jesssmflor­es

“It’s an insane set of events. I sincerely hope that we’re able to identify these folks because they did a fair amount of damage.” Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who represents San Francisco’s Castro District

The car caught on nowviral video flipping over a pedestrian stairway in San Francisco’s Castro District on Saturday was likely stolen a few blocks away from where the dramatic crash occurred, according to Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who represents the neighborho­od.

Mandelman said Monday that the San Francisco Police Department believes the car was stolen from an individual two blocks away at 19th and Dolores streets. He said the vehicle appeared to have five occupants inside, some of whom may have been minors.

“It’s an insane set of events,” Mandelman said. “I sincerely hope that we’re able to identify these folks because they did a fair amount of damage.”

A spokespers­on with the San Francisco Police Department on Monday declined to provide more details about the investigat­ion, saying updates will be shared “when they become available.” The department did not announce it had arrested anyone or identified a person of interest in the incident.

The crash happened at about 7:19 p.m. at 19th and Sanchez streets, police said. The vehicle flipped over the Sanchez Street Stairs from the dead end at Cumberland Street, knocked down a tree and landed on its roof, according to the San Francisco Fire Department and video surveillan­ce that captured the incident.

Witnesses told authoritie­s that all of the occupants inside of the vehicle fled the area.

The video shows several passersby rushing to help the occupants get out of the car while others recorded on their phones. A person is heard saying, “Guys, I’m sorry … we gotta go.”

The Fire Department said it appeared no one was injured.

 ?? San Francisco Fire Department/ ?? San Francisco firefighte­rs respond to a crash at 19th and Sanchez streets on Saturday, when a car flipped over a pedestrian stairway in the Castro District.
San Francisco Fire Department/ San Francisco firefighte­rs respond to a crash at 19th and Sanchez streets on Saturday, when a car flipped over a pedestrian stairway in the Castro District.

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