Man Dead Following 2-Car Collision in San Jose: Police
A man was killed following a two-car collision in San Jose Sunday afternoon, police said.
The incident happened just after 1:30 p.m. in the area of Fruitdale and Leigh avenues. SJPD said one vehicle was overturned and one person was pronounced dead at the scene.
Video taken by a San Jose resident showed the chaotic scene after a gray Toyota Prius and a white Toyota Corolla collided. In the video, some smoke can be seen as one of the cars started to burn.
Nearby residents told NBC Bay Area they ran to the cars with crowbars and broke some windows to try to help the people inside.
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Santa Clara County's coroner's office identified the deceased victim as Jefferson Smith Martinez Ropero, 26.
The Santa Clara County Coroner's Office identified the victim of the deadly crash in San Jose as Jefferson Smith Martinez Ropero, 26. (May 21, 2023)
A good friend of Smith told NBC Bay Area Sunday the victim was a member of the LGBTQ community and was originally from Colombia. The friend added Smith just moved to the U.S. about three months ago.
According to Smith's friend, a woman and her young son were riding in the car with Smith at the time of the crash.
San Jose firefighters said that three other people were taken to a nearby hospital.
There were multiple street closures and police were asking the public to use alternate routes.
Emergency crews are on scene of a 2-vehicle collision at Leigh Av and Fruitdale Av. Roads leading to the area are closed. @SJPD_PIO pic.twitter.com/yq9NJ2hm8Q — San José Fire Dept. (@SJFD) May 21, 2023
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
Source: NBC Bay Area
