A Tragedy That Never Truly Ended

On a September evening in 2019, a man set out on foot in San Jose, unaware that a single moment would alter the course of his life forever. Near the intersection of Lucretia Avenue and Summerside Drive, he and a woman were struck by a vehicle while crossing the roadway outside of a marked crosswalk. The impact left him with life-threatening injuries. Though doctors were able to stabilize his condition at the time, the damage had already been done. More than six years later, the Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner confirmed what his loved ones had long feared—he died due to complications directly related to the injuries he suffered that night.

One Collision, Years of Suffering

According to the San Jose Police Department, the crash occurred at approximately 8:38 p.m. when a southbound 2012 white Dodge SUV struck the pedestrians. While the woman survived, the male victim endured years of medical challenges stemming from the collision. His identity has not yet been released, but the weight of his passing is profound. This was not an instant loss—it was a prolonged battle marked by pain, uncertainty, and hope that never fully materialized. San Jose police have confirmed that his death is officially being counted as a fatal collision connected to the 2019 incident, underscoring how traffic violence can echo across years, not just moments.

A Painful Reminder of San Jose’s Traffic Safety Crisis

This loss comes amid ongoing concerns about traffic safety in San Jose. The city has faced troubling trends in roadway fatalities, particularly involving pedestrians and cyclists. While efforts like the Vision Zero initiative aim to reduce deaths through better infrastructure and enforcement, tragedies like this highlight how devastating the consequences of a single crash can be. Many collisions are tied to driver violations, speeding, and failure to yield—factors that continue to place vulnerable road users at risk. Even years after the initial impact, families are left grieving, carrying emotional scars that never fully heal.

For loved ones, the pain is layered. There is the initial shock of the crash, followed by years of medical uncertainty, and finally the heartbreak of loss. Beyond the emotional devastation, families often face overwhelming financial and legal burdens—medical expenses, long-term care costs, and the absence of justice or closure. When a life is taken due to negligence on the road, families may have the right to seek accountability through a wrongful death claim. Legal support can help them navigate this process while honoring the memory of the person they lost.