The family of Justin Randle, the Glide employee killed in the Tenderloin last weekend, is questioning why San Francisco police let him and his ex-wife go during a traffic stop shortly before his death.
What the family says
Randle's brother, William Randle, told the SF Standard that shortly after midnight on Oct. 25, officers pulled over the car Justin was driving in front of a market at 455 Ellis St. He said officers smelled alcohol, found that Justin's license was suspended and noted that he and his ex-wife, Alexis Macias, were under a court order limiting contact. Then the officers got another call and left, he said. “They literally said, ‘It's your lucky day,’” William Randle said.
The DMV confirmed to the Standard that Justin Randle's license was suspended or revoked.
What police have said
According to SFPD, officers responded at about 1:06 a.m. to a collision involving a pedestrian on the 800 block of Ellis Street. The driver fled. Officers traced the car to Treasure Island, where CHP had stopped it for an unrelated violation, and arrested the driver on suspicion of homicide. The man died at a hospital.
SFPD declined to comment on the earlier traffic stop, citing the ongoing investigation, the Standard reported.
No charges for now
The district attorney's office declined to file charges, citing insufficient evidence, and Macias was released. Family members told the Standard they don't understand the decision. SFPD says the case remains open.
See our earlier coverage: Glide worker killed; DA declines charges.