SAN FRANCISCO — A new legal complaint alleges that California's parole system ignored multiple warnings regarding a man on parole before he caused an accident that killed two women in San Francisco.
Prominent Bay Area attorney Anh Phoong has filed a wrongful death claim following the death of 27-year-old Hanako Abe. The legal filing asserts that the parole agency under the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) failed to respond to requests from the Daly City Police Department to track down Troy McAlister, a parolee suspected of committing a violent carjacking.
According to the records, on December 29, 2020, Daly City police requested assistance from parole officers to locate and arrest McAlister. However, the complaint alleges that the parole officer at the time had GPS data, a residential address, and electronic monitoring information for the suspect but failed to act.
Two days later, McAlister allegedly drove while under the influence of methamphetamine and caused a fatal accident on New Year's Eve 2020. The incident occurred amid efforts by officials to stop dangerous drug shipments in California, resulting in the deaths of Hanako Abe and Elizabeth Platt.
Internal Email Draws Attention
The complaint cites an internal email reportedly from an individual within the parole agency. The email indicates that supervisors instructed staff not to assist in tracking parole violations during the COVID-19 pandemic to align with the state's remote work policies.
According to attorney Phoong, this email clarifies why numerous prior warnings about McAlister did not lead to specific action from the parole agency.
McAlister had been arrested at least four times in 2020 while on parole. However, according to legal records, supervision remained inadequate, sparking controversy over the prosecution and management of inmates in the state.
Victims' Families Demand Accountability
The victims' families stated that the goal of the lawsuit is to find answers and determine the accountability of the involved agencies.
Attorney Phoong said the case raises major questions about the parole system's responsibility in monitoring high-risk parolees, especially as California prison renovation projects continue to draw public attention.
Previously, McAlister had requested mental health diversion in the criminal case, but the court denied the request. The related criminal case is still being processed, while the family also pursues civil legal proceedings to seek justice.
