SF judge denies mental health diversion for man accused of 2020 double fatal hit-and-run

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A San Francisco judge denied mental health diversion for the man at the center of a double fatal hit-and-run in San Francisco nearly five years ago on New Year’s Eve. Troy McAlister is facing vehicular manslaughter charges for the deaths of 27-year-old Hanako Abe and 60-year-old Elizabeth Platt in a SoMa crosswalk. McAlister was on parole and allegedly driving a stolen vehicle at the time. The case was previously instrumental in the recall of former San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin.

Community activists say the judge’s decision is a step in the right direction.

“I think because of all of the community uproar, the media, this is how we got a little bit of victory, the trial will proceed and that the motion for diversion was not granted,” said San Francisco resident Liz Le.

A drug court judge denied McAlister’s attorney’s petition for mental health diversion following a 2020 fatal hit and run.

Saying to McAlister in part, “I think you’ve been accused of making decisions and taking actions with some incredibly bad luck resulting in two people losing their lives. You need to face your community through the criminal justice system and take accountability.”

San Francisco Public Defender seeks diversion in 2020 double fatal hit-and-run case

McAlister’s attorney, Public Defender Scott Grant argued rehabilitation would have better outcomes than traditional incarceration. He also said McAlister had struggled with drugs since he was a teen and described the double fatal hit-and-run as an accident saying McAlister didn’t intend to harm Hanako Abe and Elizabeth Platt when another vehicle pushed the allegedly stolen vehicle he was driving into the two women.

“We’re disappointed in the judge’s decision today but we look forward to continuing to vigorously represent Mr. McAlister,” said Grant.

“When you’re driving 60 miles per hour, you have a history of drugs and alcohol, you ran many red lights, what did you think would happen,” said Le.

The case made international news and was instrumental in the recall of former San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin.

McAlister was on parole at the time he hit and killed Abe and Platt.

“It’s just the failure of our criminal justice system to hold him accountable earlier maybe we could have prevented these two deaths,” said Le.

CA officials say SF DA’s failure to file criminal charges led to deadly hit-and-run on New Year’s Eve

“I feel like today is a huge relief for a lot of people that have been following this case. The judge in this case did the right thing given the defendant’s history,” said Anna Kearney with Stop Crime SF.

McAlister’s attorney says he’s still waiting on a transcript from a grand jury proceeding.

“And once we get that we’ll be filing a motion to dismiss some of the charges in the case,” said Grant.

Grant would not say which charges or if he believes the community’s outrage influenced the judge’s decision.

McAlister is back in court next month to set a date for trial.

In a statement released to ABC7 News, the San Francisco DA’s Office would only confirm what happened Tuesday in court.

Take a look at more stories by the ABC7 News I-Team.