As we reported in August, there is security camera video and witnesses to this incident. Wednesday, both the driver, who's out on 50,000 dollars bail, and the victim appeared in court.
Kessler drove the black Jeep Cherokee that was involved in what prosecutors say was a felony hit and run. Also in the courtroom, the victim Soren Krogh-Jensen, who gave an emotional victim's impact statement. Krogh-Jensen told the court he still suffers from the effects of a severe brain injury.
"Since the accident I've had big problems with my temperament due to the injuries to my brain. And what it's cost in my work life and in my private life. That's been a big problem," said Soren.
"We just hope justice prevails and you know, we can get some resolution for what we've been through," said Carolyne Krogh-Jensen, a collision victim's spouse.
The collision happened in the afternoon of March 27th near the ballpark, at the intersection of Second and Townsend. Police say the SUV was turning onto Townsend when it hit the 53-year-old furniture store owner. He was struck as he was in the crosswalk. A security video reportedly shows a crowd of people around Soren as Kessler comes by. She stays a few minutes before driving away.
"She got out of the car. She looked at the victim, saw the victim was injured, went back into the car, and left the scene without identifying herself," said San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon.
"My client is very sympathetic to Mr. Jensen's injuries. It was an unfortunate accident," said Kessler's attorney Bill Murphy.
Murphy said his client thought Soren was receiving medical attention and was not aware she had committed any wrongdoing by driving away. He asked the judge to reduce the felony charge to a misdemeanor. Murphy said she has no criminal record and has led a charitable life.
Kessler's attorney says his client is being charged with a felony and not a misdemeanor because of who she is a charge the District Attorney vigorously denies. The judge has yet to review the security video and says he'll do that before deciding whether or not to reduce the felony to a misdemeanor.
