SF police searching for hit-and-run driver who struck a pedicab carrying family of four

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - Police in San Francisco are still looking for the driver who hit a pedicab, sending a family of four flying into the air and a pedicab operator to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

San Francisco police say a gold or champagne colored 4-door Honda Civic smashed into a pedicab at 4:15pm on Wednesday and then sped away.

Pedicab operators returned to work today worrying about Kevin Manning, their fellow driver injured in that crash.

"Yeah, he's great. He's been riding with us for six years, nobody's got a bad thing to say about the guy. He's a lovely person, really responsible, never got into any kind of accident that was his fault," said Colin Sanders from Cabrio Taxi.

Friends have set up a go-fund-me page, hoping to help the family focus on the 65-year old's recovery, not bills. "So we're looking to help him out with medical expenses, living expenses, just generally trying to keep his head above water" said Sanders.

We are also learning more about the crash that sent Manning to the hospital and injured a family of four.

"It was pretty unbelievable, the woman and the two kids went flying," said Bob Eshleman who was walking his dog when the crash unfolded right before his eyes. "He just went right through the Pedicab. No stopping, nothing, and accelerated through that and off down the street."

Police Thursday say the family of four is expected to recover. Manning is still gravely injured and investigators have been looking for whoever was behind the wheel of the car which witnesses tell police sped from the scene. 

"By the time he got up here to Lombard he was probably hitting 60 miles per hour. Trying to get away, make sure nobody could see his license plate or see him, I guess," said Eshleman.

Pedicab operators say they're always on guard for careless drivers, that's part of the reason why this is the first serious injury accident in 35 years. Still, they're pushing for protected bike lanes along the Embarcero saying their safety and the safety of residents and tourists who pedal through San Francisco is at stake. 

"Absolutely there are ways to make it safer," said Sanders.

The driver of that car is facing felony hit and run charges.