SF driver accused of killing two women identified on parole in recent burglary arrest

Driver accused by police of killing two pedestrians in downtown San Francisco on New Years Eve, allegedly walked through a red light while drunk and in a stolen car, then attempted to escaping on foot, has been identified as Troy McAlister, a 45 – a former city resident who was on parole following a robbery conviction.

The hit and run victims in the southern district of Market were both women, officials said. Their names have not been released.

San Francisco jail records show McAlister was booked Thursday night on suspicion of multiple counts, including two counts of intentional homicide, possession of a stolen vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, burglary , driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, owning a firearm and large ammunition store, and violating parole conditions.

Police said McAlister was driving a vehicle that was stolen around 4 p.m. when it collided with a car and then the two pedestrians on Second and Mission streets. He then got out of the vehicle, officials said, and fled to a nearby commercial building, where officers found him within minutes and detained him.

One of the victims died at the scene and the second victim died after being taken to San Francisco General Hospital, police said.

Streets around the crash were blocked off to traffic for hours as investigators interviewed witnesses and gathered evidence. A black Honda was seen partially on the sidewalk and on the bike lane, its airbags blown. It was not immediately clear whether the Honda was the stolen vehicle or the vehicle struck by the suspect.

Commander Raj Vaswani told The Chronicle on Thursday evening that police were trying to determine which direction the suspect was heading at the time. He said the motorist who had been struck was not seriously injured.

Court documents show McAlister was arrested in July 2015 on suspicion of robbing a San Francisco store with a gun, although it is not immediately clear whether this was the case that led to his imprisonment and on his parole. McAlister then filed a federal lawsuit against three city officers, alleging they used excessive force during the arrest. Officers alleged McAlister was combative and “should be detained” at the Mission District Police Station, according to records. A judge dismissed the case.

On the night of November 6, the San Francisco State University Police Department arrested McAlister on suspicion of car burglary, possession of burglary tools and violation of parole conditions at Towers at Centennial Square. , a student housing complex. The status of the case was not immediately clear.