In a startling incident that has sent shockwaves through the San Francisco Police Department and the local community, a suspect involved in a serious DUI crash early Friday morning has been identified as one of SFPD’s own. The department confirmed that 28-year-old Ryan Kwong, a recently hired officer still undergoing field training, was arrested following a multi-vehicle collision that resulted in several injuries—one of them life-threatening.
According to a statement released by the San Francisco Police Department, officers responded to the scene of the crash at approximately 2:00 a.m. on May 17. The accident occurred at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Rivera Street, a normally quiet stretch of road in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset neighborhood.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel found two heavily damaged, occupied vehicles. In one vehicle were three adults who were immediately assessed and transported to a nearby hospital. Authorities have confirmed that one of the victims sustained life-threatening injuries, while the other two were treated for injuries not considered life-threatening.
The second vehicle, driven by Kwong, contained two occupants who also suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to an area hospital. Preliminary investigations and field sobriety assessments conducted at the scene led officers to suspect alcohol impairment as a contributing factor in the collision.
The driver of that second vehicle was identified as Ryan Kwong, a San Francisco resident and a probationary officer with the San Francisco Police Department. According to officials, Kwong recently began his field training assignment with the department, a critical phase that follows academy graduation and involves working under the supervision of seasoned officers.
Following the incident and initial investigation, Kwong was arrested and booked into San Francisco County Jail. He faces multiple charges, including Driving Under the Influence Causing Injury, a felony under California law. Authorities have not yet confirmed if additional charges, such as enhancements for causing great bodily injury, may follow as the investigation continues.
The SFPD issued a statement acknowledging the incident and confirmed that internal affairs is conducting a parallel investigation. “The actions alleged are deeply concerning and do not reflect the values and professionalism we expect of our officers,” said a department spokesperson. “We hold all members of the department to the highest standards, and that includes accountability under the law.”
The department has not released details regarding Kwong’s current employment status following the arrest, but sources familiar with departmental protocol suggest he may be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of both criminal and internal investigations.
As of Saturday morning, the victim who sustained life-threatening injuries remains hospitalized. Their condition has not been updated, and authorities have not released names of any of the injured parties, citing privacy concerns and the ongoing investigation.
This incident marks a significant test for the SFPD, which in recent years has placed renewed emphasis on community trust and officer accountability. Public reactions have already begun to surface on social media, with some praising the transparency of the arrest while others express concern over how a probationary officer with the department came to be behind the wheel under the influence.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact the department’s tip line at 1-415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411, beginning the message with “SFPD.”
As investigations continue, this case is likely to remain under scrutiny from both the public and within the ranks of law enforcement—highlighting once again the far-reaching consequences of impaired driving, regardless of profession.
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