An elderly San Francisco woman has walked free from a California courthouse after slamming her car into a young family of four and killing them. 

Mary Fong Lau, 80, was handed two years of probation and 200 hours of community service after the horror crash that killed Apple executive Diego Cardoso de Oliveira, 40, his wife Matilde Ramos Pinto, 38, and their two children Joaquim, 20 months, and Cauê, three months, in March of 2024.

Judge Bruce Chan, of the city's Superior Court, said that Lau's age, lack of criminal record and remorse had all factored into his decision, The New York Times reported. 

Chan added that the high profile case against Lau and her poor health could make her a target of other inmates if imprisoned. 

The family of four had been waiting for the bus to go to the San Francisco Zoo for their wedding anniversary when Lau's Mercedes hit them at around 70mph in a residential neighborhood with a 40mph limit. 

The parents of Oliveira and Pinto filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Lau in June 2024, followed by another civil suit in May 2025 to void any financial transfers she may have made in light of the litigation.

They have accused Lau of transferring properties to new limited liability companies and selling them to third parties, possibly amounting to millions of dollars.

She had pleaded no contest to four felony counts of vehicular manslaughter, each punishable by up to 15 years behind bars. 

As part of her sentencing, Lau was also banned from driving for three years. Her attorney Seth Morris told ABC7 that she does not intend to drive again.  

He told the outlet: 'There are no good outcomes for such an immense tragedy. 

'Everyone who came to court felt the pain that is present in the community and from these families and we feel it, too. Mrs. Lau feels the pain of this tragic loss. 

'She has taken accountability by pleading no contest. Not requiring the district attorney's office to do a preliminary hearing or to take the case to trial which would have taken years with an unknown outcome. 

'She hopes that by entering a no contest plea it could begin a process of healing for these families.'

The San Francisco Standard reported that Lau told witnesses at the scene that she was trying to park when she accidentally hit the accelerator.

However, Lau told cops at the hospital that her car malfunctioned before she plowed into the bus shelter where the family of four was standing.

Investigators found no problems with Lau's car, which they said was traveling at an estimated 66 to 75 mph, the Standard reported.

According to the New York Times, the hearing on Friday was the first time that Lau had ever addressed the friends and family of the victims. 

She told them: 'I want to say to your family sorry.'

Jim Quadra, an attorney representing the victim's family in the civil case, told ABC: 'She doesn't have home detention - she doesn't have any restriction of her freedom. 

'She just has to ask permission to maybe travel out of state, it's minimal in the consequences.'

He continued: 'They asked her for 200 hours of community service that rounds up to about five weeks. 

'Five weeks of undefined community service which could mean whatever. We don't know what for - taking four lives. 

'That is what we have and that is just not fair. That is not justice and doesn't give anything to the family to make them feel that they were heard.'

Diego and Joaquin were killed at the scene while Matilde and Cauê succumbed to injuries in hospital. 

Other people waiting for the bus to arrive were also injured in the crash and received medical attention.