Search For Driver Who Killed Pedestrian Killed In Hit-&-Run On Story Road In San Jose
SAN JOSE (KPIX/CBS SF) – A manhunt was underway for a driver who struck and killed a pedestrian on Story Road overnight and then sped away from the scene without stopping.
The collision was reported Tuesday around 4:05 a.m., at the intersection of Story Road and Felipe Avenue, police said.
A man driving a white 2015 Dodge van was traveling west on Story Road when he saw a vehicle's brake lights ahead of him. That vehicle apparently struck the victim and continued on without stopping, according to police.
The Dodge van also struck the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The van's driver stopped at the scene and called police, who have not yet released any description of the hit-and-run suspect or vehicle.
"I don't have an answer as to how someone could do that. They know that a human being is hurt. And the least that they should do is call 911 so someone can render aid," said Sgt. Enrique Garcia, a spokesperson for the San Jose Police Department.
"People don't want to help each other; they don't want to stop and help. They don't want to be responsible because they're only concerned about what's going to happen to them," said Pastor Scott Wagers, a homeless advocate who believes he knows the as yet unidentified victim.
Pastor Wagers says he believes the victim lived in a homeless near the scene of the crash.
Investigators say they don't have a good description of either car or driver responsible for the crash. They will be poring over security camera footage in the area, hoping to identify the person responsible.
"Now that you've fled the scene and never tried to call for help, you're looking at vehicular manslaughter -- definitely felony hit-n-run at a minimum," Sgt. Garcia said.
The westbound lanes of Story Road between Highway 101 and Felipe Avenue were shut down until around 9 a.m., according to police.
The fatal collision is the 33rd on the city's streets so far in 2019 and the 13th between a vehicle and pedestrian, police said.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call a Crime Stoppers tip line at (408) 947-STOP.
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