Tragic Hit-and-Run in San Jose: Driver Fled After Fatal Collision, Even Retrieving Debris

There's a somber plea echoing through the streets of San Jose this week, as local police tirelessly search for a hit-and-run driver responsible for a tragic incident that claimed a man's life. It happened in the very early hours of Sunday morning, around 1:30 a.m., leaving a community reeling and a family undoubtedly shattered.

The scene unfolded near the intersection of S. White Road and Story Road, an area that many residents know well. A 67-year-old pedestrian, whose name has not yet been released, was struck by a vehicle. He was rushed to a nearby hospital with critical injuries, but despite the best efforts of medical staff, he tragically succumbed to his injuries.

What makes this particular incident all the more chilling and perplexing are the details surrounding the driver's actions post-collision. According to the San Jose Police Department, the driver actually stopped their vehicle for a brief moment after hitting the pedestrian. In a move that truly beggars belief, they then reportedly got out of their car, picked up a piece of vehicle debris—likely a bumper or similar part—and then, without a moment's hesitation or a thought for the person they had just struck, sped away from the scene. It’s an act that feels profoundly callous, leaving a deep sense of injustice.

Investigators believe the suspect vehicle is likely a black Infiniti sedan, specifically a G35 or G37 model, from around the 2005 to 2010 production years. That crucial detail about the driver stopping to retrieve vehicle parts is a significant piece of the puzzle, and detectives are hoping it will help someone come forward with information. Even the smallest detail could prove pivotal in bringing closure to this devastating event.

This fatal incident sadly marks San Jose's 19th traffic fatality of 2024, affecting the 18th individual this year. It's a grim reminder of the profound responsibility we all share when we get behind the wheel. The San Jose Police Department is making a heartfelt appeal to anyone who might have witnessed the crash, or perhaps saw a vehicle matching the description in the area around that time. If you have any information at all, no matter how insignificant it might seem, please reach out to Detective Aldinger at 4268. Every bit of help brings us closer to justice for the victim and their loved ones.