Thanksgiving hit and run victim in critical condition; relief fund announced

Early Thanksgiving morning, 29 year old Albert Bartal was run down at the Shell gas station on the corner of 9th and Geary by a man he fought with earlier at the nearby Jack in the Box.

The suspect, described as a mixed-race or Latino man, between 18 and 24 years old, with short black hair and a manicured beard, fled the scene and police are still looking for him. The suspect was driving a black Mazda CX-type SUV, with 12-spoke sport rims and possible front-end damage.

This week, in an effort to get assistance from the public, police released video of the suspect (see below) while he was at Jack in the Box.

Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is encouraged to call the Police Department’s anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411.

Bartal remains in critical condition with life-threatening injuries at SF General Hospital. For the past five years, he has worked as a seasonal firefighter at Cal Fire’s Saratoga Summit Fire Station in Santa Cruz County. Bartal also served four years of active duty as a Marine in Iraq.

SFPD also announced that a relief fund has been set up for Albert Bartal. People may make donations to account No. 1379608 at the San Francisco Police Credit Union, located at at 2550 Irving Street near 26th Avenue. Checks can be dropped off or mailed to:

Albert Bartal Relief Fund
C/O the San Francisco Police Credit Union
2550 Irving Street, CA. 94122
(Account # 1379608)

Bartal’s fellow firefighters from the California Division of Forestry set up the trust fund for his daughter and also to help pay for his medical bills.

UPDATE 11/30: Police arrested Eduardo Shaparo Esquivel, a 22-year old South San Francisco man. He’s being held with felony charges for mayhem, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and assault with great bodily injury. Read more at SFWeekly

Sarah B.