Reports of the death of 21 year old German tourist Neils Yannick Linke (or Yannick, as his friends call him) have rocked San Francisco, but a vigil this week is being planned to help give outlet to some of those feelings.
Linke was riding a bike through the intersection of Masonic and Turk when he was struck from behind by an older-model Mercedes and died instantly.
The driver was allegedly 36 year old Joshua Calder, who was reportedly driving home with his girlfriend after a dinner where prosecutors say the two shared an enormous amount of alcohol. Police pulled a receipt of the bill from the car which showed two bottles of wine, shots, plus more after-dinner drinks.
Witnesses at the scene say they saw Calder get out of the car after hitting Linke, move the bike over to the side of the road, then switch seats with his girlfriend and drive away. Police were able to pull the car over just two blocks away with witnesses’ description of the car.
Calder pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include manslaughter, drunk driving, and hit-and-run. He is set to appear in court on October 1st.
A candlelight vigil will be held for Linke this Wednesday, August 25th, beginning at at 8:00 p.m. at the San Francisco Day School courtyard at Masonic and Golden Gate. From there, participants will proceed on the sidewalk up Golden Gate Avenue to Turk Street, cross Turk
and gather at the site of the collision.
“Organizers of the memorial want to focus on the tragic loss of Yannik Linke while also honoring him by increasing public resolve to obtain safer streets for all users” says Bike NOPA.
Candles will be provided.
