We told you last week about the repercussions from a New Year's Eve tragedy in which a driver for smartphone ride service UberX struck a mother and two children in a San Francisco crosswalk. One of the children, Sophia Liu, 6, was killed.
UberX acknowledged the driver, whom police identified as Syed Muzzafar of Union City, was a "partner," though it said he was not making a trip for the company at the time of the incident. Police arrested Muzzafar on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, and he was later released after posting bail.
The death highlighted an issue that both taxi companies and their drivers have been raising as the ride services — including Lyft, Sidecar, UberX and others — become more popular. Namely: Are the services adequately insured?
Later today, we're going to hear that question asked very loudly at City Hall. Members of the San Francisco Cab Drivers Association promise to appear at this evening's meeting of the Police Commission to demand the city enforce its insurance requirements on drivers and vehicles operating as part of the smartphone ride services.