The streets of San Jose claimed another life earlier this month, marking the city's second traffic-related death and pedestrian fatality of the year. On the chilly evening of December 29, a male pedestrian was hit by a vehicle while traversing the stretch of Umbarger Road. According to the San Jose Police Department, a 2016 gray Acura, driven by an adult female, was moving westbound when it made an impact with the pedestrian, who was reportedly outside the safety of a marked crosswalk.
The collision resulted in severe injuries for the pedestrian, prompting immediate transport to a local hospital where he was later said to have stabilized. Despite initial hopes for recovery, the man's life was claimed by his wounds on January 13. The driver involved in the accident stayed at the scene, engaging with the ensuing investigation. As the community reels from this loss, the identity of the pedestrian awaits release from the Santa Clara County Coroner's Office, pending identification and notification of next of kin.
The SJPD's announcement noted the incident as "the second fatal collision, and second traffic death of 2024". The department's Detective Bowen of the Traffic Investigations Unit now leads a deep dive into the events that unfurled on that fateful evening. The SJPD urges anyone with information about the collision to step forward.
With the investigation ongoing, community members who know the case have various avenues to offer their insights. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the P3TIPS mobile app or by the tip line. As an incentive, the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program dangles the promise of cash rewards for information that nudges the hand of justice.
