San Francisco Motorist Charged In Death Of A Bicyclist In The Presidio

SAN FRANCISCO - A federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted Arnold Kinman Low today with involuntary manslaughter and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and United States Park Police Chief Jessica M.E. Taylor.

According to the indictment, Low, 81, of San Francisco, was the driver of a motor vehicle that struck a bicyclist in the Presidio on April 4, 2023. The victim-bicyclist died of his injuries shortly after the crash. Low is alleged to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, to a degree that rendered him incapable of safe operation.

Driving while under the influence of any amount of alcohol can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences. The United States Attorney for the Northern District of California takes seriously all allegations of driving under the influence in places of federal jurisdiction like the Presidio Trust. Area drivers are reminded to consider alternative forms of transportation like ride-sharing or carpooling if necessary.

Low currently is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court in San Francisco at 10:30 AM on December 6, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alex Tse.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 8 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution if appropriate. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney George Hageman is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Erick Machado. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the United States Park Police.