San Francisco Police Arrest Driver In Eureka Valley Collision 18-012
On January 20, 2018 at approximately 3:12PM, San Francisco police officers responded to an incident on the 400 block of Castro Street in which a van was driven onto the sidewalk. Following an investigation, the driver of the van, Kenneth Rotter was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, attempted murder, felony vandalism, hit and run, reckless driving, driving under the influence (drugs) and vehicle code violations.
This incident occurred on a busy Saturday afternoon and many people were in the area enjoying the day. Investigators from the Mission Station Investigation Team (SIT) are seeking witnesses. Anyone with information who has not spoken with an investigator is asked to contact the SFPD 24 Hour Tip Line at (415) 575-4444.
Rotter’s booking photo is not available due to pending identification matters.
On January 20, 2018 at approximately 3:12PM, dispatchers at the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (DEM) received multiple 911 calls regarding a subject driving recklessly - including on the sidewalk - on the 400 block of Castro Street.
San Francisco Police officers responded to the area and found the vehicle, a purple Dodge van, driving westbound on 18th Street toward Sanchez Street. Officers effected a stop and detained the driver. The preliminary investigation determined that the suspect drove his vehicle onto the sidewalk on the west side of the 400 block of Castro Street, hitting multiple parking meters and sidewalk trees. The suspect stopped his vehicle, backed into the front of a deli-market, and then drove forward off the sidewalk onto the roadway and down 18th Street (southbound). The subject drove around the block through intersections posted with arterial stop signs and at times drove on the wrong side of the roadway until he was stopped and detained. No pedestrians were struck and other no vehicles were damaged.
The suspect, Kenneth Rotter, a 70 year-old transient who lives in the vehicle with his dog, stated that he was having trouble with his brakes. The van has been impounded and will be subject to an inspection to determine if there were any mechanical defects that may have contributed to the incident.
San Francisco Animal Care and Control officers responded and took custody of the dog.
The California Highway Patrol assisted with the investigation by providing an officer who is trained as a Drug Recognition Expert. The CHP officer responded to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFGH) to determine Rotter's sobriety status.
The San Francisco Fire Department inspected the deli-market and determined that there was no structural damage to the building.
The Mission Station Investigation Team (SIT) has been assigned to the case. Following an investigation, Rotter has been booked at San Francisco County Jail on the charges of: aggravated assault, attempted murder, felony vandalism, hit and run, reckless driving, driving under the influence (drugs) and vehicle code violations.
Rotter’s booking photo is not available due to pending identification matters.