GardaWorld armored vehicle drives down SF bike lane, crashes into tree, drives off

City officials are investigating after a GardaWorld armored vehicle crashed into a tree on a San Francisco sidewalk Tuesday afternoon.

San Francisco resident John Entwistle captured the incident on private security cameras positioned outside his home at 17th and Sanchez streets. The footage shows the GardaWorld truck, a vehicle manned by armed guards to transport cash and other valuables, driving down a protected bike lane before colliding with a Victorian box tree on the sidewalk.

Entwistle told SFGATE he witnessed the aftermath of the incident and confronted the men operating the vehicle.

"They said they had just stumbled upon a tree that had fallen," Entwistle said. After reviewing footage from the security camera, which Entwistle says he installed "in the interest of traffic safety," the longtime city resident filed a report with 311, and a crew arrived shortly thereafter to remove the fallen tree.

San Francisco Public Works is investigating the incident to determine whether the driver was at fault, said department spokesperson Rachel Gordon.

Either Public Works or the city attorney's office will be in touch with GardaWorld, Gordon said.

The cost to replace and establish a tree is set at $1,973 a year, Gordon said, and the city can leverage an additional $1,973 fine.

San Francisco resident John Entwistle says a GardaWorld armored vehicle drove down a bike lane at 17th and Sanchez streets and crashed into a tree on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2018. San Francisco resident John Entwistle says a GardaWorld armored vehicle drove down a bike lane at 17th and Sanchez streets and crashed into a tree on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2018. Photo: Courtesy John Entwistle Photo: Courtesy John Entwistle Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close GardaWorld armored vehicle drives down SF bike lane, crashes into tree, drives off 1 / 4 Back to Gallery

GardaWorld spokesperson Heather McAlister told SFGATE the company is investigating the incident and "will take all disciplinary measures to address it," in addition to covering all damages incurred if found to be at fault.

According to Entwistle, who has lived on 17th Street for five years, the tract of roadway outside his home is prone to accidents, especially involving cyclists.

"There used to be a lot of people getting hurt out here," he said. "It was an unending succession of broken arms."

The city installed plastic safe-hit posts on 17th in December, said Entwistle, imploring the city to take additional protective measures.

"If the bike lane was better marked, maybe people wouldn't be driving in it," he said.

SFMTA said concrete barriers for the north side of the street have been approved and will be installed later this year.

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.