SFPD Corrects 2011 Pedestrian Fatality Count: 17 Killed, Not 13

Seventeen pedestrians were killed in San Francisco in 2011 -- four more than previously reported by the SFPD.

Although SFPD spokesperson Albie Esparza had previously given a count of 13 fatalities as late as last week, Officer Linda Chen of the Mission Station said she reviewed the data and found the actual number to be 17. Three bicyclists and eight car drivers or passengers were also killed last year, she said, for a total of 28 traffic deaths.

The reason for the discrepancy is unclear, but Esparza said the original number of 13 came from the department's Hit-and-Run Unit. SFPD has been using the figure of 13 pedestrian fatalities since December.

It's troubling that SFPD would report such basic information erroneously and let the mistake stand for so long, and it speaks to a broader issue: Local government provides little access to data about traffic injuries and deaths on SF streets. Streetsblog will be taking a look at this issue in greater depth. Stay tuned.