A late-night bike ride through San Jose's Coleman Avenue corridor ended in tragedy last Saturday when a bicyclist was struck and killed by a car that sped away, according to police. Officers later tracked down a suspect and took the driver into custody. The collision marks San Jose's fifth fatal traffic death of 2026.
The crash unfolded around 2:30 AM near W Hedding Street and Coleman Avenue. The bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, and officers shut down nearby lanes while they documented the aftermath and collected evidence, according to NBC Bay Area.
Police: driver returned and was booked
In a press release from the San Jose Police Department, investigators said the rider was traveling west to east across Coleman Avenue, south of the intersection and outside a marked crosswalk, when a 2023 blue Tesla sedan hit them. The driver took off before officers arrived.
Automated license-plate reader cameras later led officers to the Tesla, which they found unoccupied away from the scene, according to the release. Police say the driver eventually came back, showed signs of impairment, and was arrested. The driver was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail. The Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner will release the victim's identity once family members are notified.
Potential criminal exposure under state law
Leaving the scene of a crash that causes injury or death can be charged as a felony under Vehicle Code 20001, while driving under the influence that causes injury falls under Vehicle Code 23153. Both statutes carry potential prison time and fines. Prosecutors will decide on any specific charges after reviewing the SJPD case file.
Context: a city still pushing Vision Zero
San José Spotlight reported that overall traffic deaths in the city dropped to 41 in 2025 as officials pushed Vision Zero street redesigns and stepped-up speed enforcement. Safety advocates have called the dip encouraging but say every fatality, including this latest crash, is a stark reminder that San Jose still has a long way to go to protect people who bike and walk.
Anyone with video or information about the collision is asked to contact Detective White #4638 at [email protected] or 408-277-4654, or send anonymous tips through the P3TIPS mobile app. The San Jose Police Department's Traffic Investigations Unit continues to examine the scene and gather evidence.
