A UCSF shuttle bus driver has been charged with vehicular manslaughter for his role in a traffic accident last summer that killed a 52-year-old doctor.

Wallace J. Richardson, 64, was behind the wheel of a shuttle bus that collided with a big rig truck at the intersection of Octavia Boulevard and Oak Street on July 14. As a result of the impact, Dr. Kevin Mack, a passenger in the shuttle bus, was thrown through the windshield and subsequently died of his injuries.

According to witnesses at the scene, Richards was distracted and went through a red light, causing the collision with the big rig truck, court documents said. The driver of the big-rig truck, who was traveling through a green light, slammed on his brakes, but could not stop in time to avoid the collision.

After an arrest warrant was issued last month, Richardson turned himself into Millbrae authorities Jan. 17 and was later released on $10,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned next month on charges of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.

wreisman@sfexaminer.com