Pedestrian Killed by Tow Truck in the Richmond
An 80-year-old was struck at Arguello Boulevard and Anza Street on Monday, September 28, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Accidents
An 80-year-old pedestrian named Yuan Jun Zhu died after being struck by a tow-truck driver at the corner of Arguello Boulevard and Anza Street. The tragedy occurred on Monday, marking another serious incident on a street long identified as part of the city high-injury network.
Why it matters
The intersection is a recurring site of danger, following prior injuries to a teenager in 2022 and a journalist in 2025, as well as the 2023 death of cyclist Ethan Boyes. Residents remain waiting for the implementation of safety designs funded years ago to address these ongoing hazards.
The city has secured $1.3 million in combined state and local funds for safety upgrades, including $1.2 million from state grants and $200,000 from local district and SFMTA contributions. Despite this, the project designs remain in review with no construction date set.
The players
Yuan Jun Zhu
The 80-year-old resident who was killed in the collision.
Phil Ting
The Assemblymember who secured $1.2 million in state funds for local bike lane improvements.
SFMTA
The city agency responsible for transit planning and the design of safety improvements.
Ethan Boyes
A cyclist who was killed on Arguello Boulevard in 2023.
The details
The SFMTA is currently developing designs for protected bicycle corners meant to calm traffic along the Arguello corridor. These designs are scheduled to undergo interagency review over the next two months, which will be followed by a public hearing. Residents can participate in the safety planning process during that upcoming review period.
Timeline
2022: Teenager badly injured on Arguello.
2023: Funds secured and Ethan Boyes killed.
2025: Journalist seriously injured on Arguello.
September 28, 2026: Pedestrian killed at Arguello and Anza.
Next two months: SFMTA vetting designs.
Across the Bay
Arguello Boulevard is officially designated as part of the San Francisco high-injury network, a city list of corridors with the highest concentration of severe traffic collisions. This tragedy continues a documented pattern of fatal incidents that have persisted despite the planned safety improvements.
Expect upcoming public hearings regarding the proposed protected bicycle corners on the corridor as the SFMTA finishes its design review. Residents using the Arguello intersection should remain cautious as current traffic conditions remain unchanged while the project works through the planning phase.
The takeaway
The safety of the Arguello corridor remains a significant public concern given the string of fatalities and injuries since 2022. Watch for the official announcement of the SFMTA public hearing date, which will provide the primary venue for residents to weigh in on the project designs.
Further reading
For more updates on traffic safety in the neighborhood, visit San Francisco Accidents.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Streetsblog San Francisco.
