San Jose Avenue at Flournoy Street: prosecutors say a driver with a suspended license ran a red light and broadsided a car, killing both people inside
DALY CITY, CALIFORNIA (October 4, 2026): Rhiannon Lawler, 46, of San Francisco, and her passenger, a 50-year-old Daly City man, were killed on Sunday, October 4, when a driver ran a red light and broadsided their car at San Jose Avenue and Flournoy Street in Daly City, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, as reported by KRON4 and NBC Bay Area. Prosecutors said Lawler was driving through the intersection on a green light. She died at the scene, and her passenger died on the way to the hospital. Prosecutors identified him by the last name Garcia; news reports differ on the spelling of his first name.
The driver, a 28-year-old San Francisco man, has been charged with murder, the district attorney’s office said. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. According to prosecutors, a preliminary alcohol screening about three hours after the crash showed a blood alcohol level of 0.15%, nearly twice the legal limit for adult drivers.
Prosecutors also said the man’s driver’s license had already been suspended after a misdemeanor drunk driving arrest in Alameda County in February. He appeared in court on Wednesday, October 7, where he did not enter a plea and was assigned an attorney. He remains in custody without bail and is due back in court on October 15 for further arraignment, NBC Bay Area reported.
Liability for the Daly City DUI Crash
California Vehicle Code § 23153 makes it a crime to drive under the influence and cause injury or death to another person, and Vehicle Code § 21453 requires drivers facing a steady red signal to stop. Civil Code § 1714 makes every driver responsible for harm caused by a lack of ordinary care, and Civil Code § 3294 can allow punitive damages when a driver acts with conscious disregard for the safety of others. Based on what prosecutors have released, the questions include:
- The red light: Prosecutors said Lawler had a green light when her car was broadsided. Signal timing records and nearby video can confirm the sequence.
- Suspected impairment: A preliminary screening showed a 0.15% blood alcohol level, according to prosecutors. Final test results are likely to be key in both the criminal case and any civil claim.
- A suspended license: Prosecutors said the license was already suspended after a February DUI arrest. A prior arrest can be relevant to whether punitive damages are sought.
- The vehicle owner: If the driver did not own the car, California’s permissive use rules may make the owner responsible up to certain limits, and the owner’s insurer may be involved.
The families of both victims may bring wrongful death claims under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. These claims are separate from the murder case and move on their own timeline. When a driver’s insurance is limited, underinsured motorist coverage on the victims’ own household policies may also apply.
Steps to Take After a Daly City DUI Crash
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-impaired driving is a factor in roughly one in three traffic deaths in the United States. When a criminal case is filed quickly, families often deal with court dates and insurance questions at the same time.
- Use victims’ rights: Under Marsy’s Law, families can ask to be notified of court dates. The San Mateo County District Attorney’s victim services staff can explain the process.
- Request the collision report: Ask the investigating police agency for the case number and the traffic collision report when it is complete.
- Ask about CalVCB: The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) may help with certain funeral and related expenses after a crime such as a DUI crash.
- Keep records: Save funeral receipts, medical bills and every letter from insurance companies, and avoid recorded statements before getting advice.
Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If the intersection’s signal or design maintained by the City of Daly City is examined, a government claim is generally due within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Investigating the Daly City DUI Crash
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Rhiannon Lawler and her passenger. Important questions remain: What will the final blood test results show about the driver’s condition on Sunday? And how was he still behind the wheel after his license had been suspended?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck or pedestrian accident anywhere in California, our personal injury attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.
Published on October 9, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on October 4, 2026.
