SAN JOSE – A motorcyclist died Tuesday evening in San Jose after he crashed into a San Jose Police Department patrol vehicle making a U-turn, according to authorities.
The fatal collision happened around 6:40 p.m. at the intersection of Story Road and Jackson Avenue, San Jose police Officer Tanya Hernandez said in a news release.
Hernandez said an unmarked unit assigned to the Violent Crimes Enforcement Team initially tried to stop a man riding a 2006 Kawasaki near Adrian Way and Story Road.
The motorcyclist did not stop and sped away eastbound on Story Road, Hernandez said, adding that the unmarked unit did not pursue him.
The motorcyclist then crashed into an unrelated patrol vehicle as it was making a U-turn at Jackson Avenue from westbound Story Road to eastbound Story Road, Hernandez said.
Hernandez described the U-turn as “legal” and said it was made on a green light at the intersection.
Video evidence revealed the motorcyclist was traveling at “excessive speeds” and ran a red light at Jackson Avenue just before he hit the patrol vehicle, Hernandez said.
The motorcyclist was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. The Santa Clara Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will release his identity once it is confirmed and his next of kin is notified.
The death marked the fifth traffic fatality of the year on city streets. Police had investigated two roadway deaths at this time last year.
Anyone with information related to the case can contact Detective Tori DelliCarpini at [email protected] or 408-277-4654, or the tip line at 408-947-STOP (7867).
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