San Jose: Driver arrested after morning crash that kills man in wheelchair

Robert Salonga, Bay Area News Group on May 30, 2025

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SAN JOSE, Calif. — An alleged hit-and-run driver was arrested after striking two pedestrians south of downtown early Friday, killing one, according to San Jose police.

Police said the collision was reported at 2:46 a.m. near West Virginia Street and Almaden Avenue.

“The driver fled the scene but was apprehended a short time later,” police said.

Police did not identify the driver but said he was booked into Santa Clara County jail on charges of hit-and-run, vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence.

One of the victims, a man in a wheelchair, suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash, police said. He was taken to an area hospital, where he died later Friday morning. The coroner’s office will release the man’s identity once it is confirmed and his next of kin is notified.

The collision left the other victim, a woman, with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

An investigation revealed the victims were traveling westbound on Virginia Street on the northbound edge of the westbound lane when they were hit by a blue 2019 Nissan Sentra driving in the same direction, police said. As a result of the collision, the man in the wheelchair hit a parked car on the north side of Virginia Street.

Streets in the area were closed for an investigation, police said.

The collision marked the 11th roadway death in San Jose this year, and the sixth involving a pedestrian who died, according to data compiled by this news organization.