The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office has brought to a close an investigation into a fatal collision between a car and a bicyclist, with the revelation that the driver, 64-year-old Mesfin Mekonnen of Santa Clara, was distracted at the time of the accident. After turning himself in last Friday, Mekonnen now faces a felony charge of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, as confirmed by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.

Back on February 13, units from both the Los Altos Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office, comprised of the Sheriff’s Traffic Accident Reconstruction Specialists (STARS) team, responded to a reported incident along Foothill Expressway north of Old Oak Court in Los Altos Hills. The collision claimed the life of Maria Jabon, a 38-year-old resident of Los Altos, despite the Santa Clara County Fire Department's life-saving efforts at the scene. Mekonnen, who remained present during the investigation, is said to have cooperated with authorities. A painstaking investigation involving forensic analyses and search warrants ultimately pointed to driver distraction as a key factor in the incident.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office expressed grief over the incident and reminded all drivers that avoiding distractions while driving is crucial for their safety and the safety of others.

Authorities continue to seek insights from the public about the collision, and anyone with information is strongly encouraged to contact the Traffic Investigation Unit at 408-868-6600.