Suspect arrested after driver struck five people in deadly hit-and-run altercation in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - A man was arrested after a physical altercation between a driver and five people resulted in the driver plowing into the victims with his vehicle morning in San Francisco's Dogpatch neighborhood.

One person died in the incident while the others were injured. One of the victims is in critical condition, two are in serious condition and one is in fair condition.

The man has been identified as Mark Dennis.   

The incident occurred around 10:25 a.m. near the corner of Illinois and 24th streets, according to Officer Giselle Linnane.

One witness said just before the carnage, there was an altercation between the driver and the victims.

"I was watching a dispute between a guy in a van and five guys on the street. It started out playful and the driver took it to a different level," said the witness who did not want his name publicized.

That man said the driver then got out of his van holding an axe. The men took the axe away, took off their belts and chased the driver back into the van.

"He got in the van screaming the whole way,” said the witness. “He got in the van, flipped it around and full pedal to the metal drove over the five.”

Police have not yet confirmed that account.

"It is unclear what lead up to the collision. It is under investigation," said police spokesman Robert Rueca. 

Police stopped cars matching the description of the vehicle. They later impounded an older model white GMC van with dents on the hood a few miles from the hit-and-run.

"The incident appears to be isolated and specific. We don't believe the general public is at risk," said Rueca.

In addition to the one person who died, four others are still in the hospital. As of Wednesday evening, one person is in critical condition, two in serious and one in fair condition.

Police were canvassing the area looking for surveillance video that may have captured what happened.