Redondo Beach Woman Hit, Killed by Van in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO — A couple’s romantic weekend getaway ended in death when a van hit and killed a Redondo Beach woman as she and her companion darted across the street in heavy rains.

Kathleen Miller, 46, was crossing a downtown San Francisco street Friday night when she was struck by an airport shuttle van and thrown 122 feet, police said.

Her companion, Ben Hobbs, remained in critical condition Sunday with head injuries.

They had just arrived in San Francisco for a weekend getaway when they darted across the street against a red light, shielding themselves from rain with a jacket, police said.

“They were covered by the jacket and had no peripheral vision,” police inspector Gary Jimenez said. “They never saw what hit them.”

The driver of the SuperShuttle van was traveling within the 35 mph speed limit and swerved to avoid the couple, police said. He was taking one passenger to San Francisco Airport at the time, company general manager Dave Bird said.

Miller reportedly had planned the trip as a surprise for Hobbs. They apparently had dropped off luggage at their hotel and were on their way to meet a friend.