Rookie SF police officer arrested for DUI after multiple-injury car crash, authorities say
Ryan Kwong, 28, was arrested for driving under the influence and booked into San Francisco County Jail
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A rookie San Francisco Police officer is in jail, arrested for DUI.
Investigators say the 28-year-old officer was off duty when he slammed into another car early Saturday morning at a high rate of speed, injuring three occupants of a minivan.
It happened about 2 a.m. in San Francisco's Sunset District on Sunset Boulevard between Rivera and Santiago Streets.
"At 1:57 I heard a loud crash. I said, 'oh no,'" said resident Natalie Sailpa.
Sailpa later saw what she'd heard: a crumpled minivan on Sunset Boulevard and a damaged BMW sedan nearby.
Police say the driver of the sedan was 28-year-old Ryan Kwong, an off-duty rookie San Francisco police officer, who was suspected of driving under the influence when he slammed into the minivan at a high rate of speed. Three people in the minivan he hit went to the hospital, one with critical injuries. Kwong and his passenger were not seriously hurt.
"It's really unfortunate, because San Francisco is relying on our police department to come through," Sailpa said.
San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott confirmed Kwong was a member of the department's newest police academy class, which just graduated on Thursday.
In a statement, Scott said: "This incident was incredibly tragic, and my heart goes out to the injured victims. We will do everything in our power to ensure justice is served in this case. No one is above the law, and our officers know they are expected to obey the law, as well as our strict code of conduct even while off duty."
The crash happened less than a week after Mayor Daniel Lurie announced plans to boost SFPD staffing by speeding up hiring to improve graduation rates without compromising standards.
In a statement, Lurie said: "My thoughts are with those injured in this incredibly upsetting incident. Our police officers work hard to keep San Franciscans safe, and we expect them to follow the law on and off duty -- no exceptions."
"This is a tragic accident and no one is above the law. Police officers have to follow the law like everyone else, and they need to be accountable when something like this happens," said San Francisco Supervisor Joel Engardio, who represents the Sunset District.
"I'm shocked. I'm shocked, because I've been a sunset resident since 2011. I've never seen anything like this happen on Sunset Boulevard," said resident Selena Chu.
Anyone with information is asked to contact SFPD at 415-575-4444.
