A 41‑year‑old man identified as Roberto Manuel Villarreal died Sunday evening after being struck in a hit‑and‑run collision in West San Jose. The incident occurred near the intersection of South Bascom Avenue and Borello Drive, an area known for steady traffic flow and frequent pedestrian activity. Emergency responders arrived shortly after 6 p.m. and found Villarreal critically injured in the roadway.
Paramedics transported Villarreal to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Police said he had been walking outside a marked crosswalk when he was hit by a southbound vehicle that did not stop. The driver fled the scene before officers arrived, leaving behind no immediate identifying information.
Witnesses described the suspect vehicle as a dark‑colored sedan driven by a man believed to be between 30 and 40 years old with a beard. According to early accounts, the driver briefly approached bystanders before leaving the area, and investigators believe he may have retrieved a piece of the vehicle’s bumper before fleeing. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and residences in hopes of identifying the car.
The crash marks San Jose’s first roadway and pedestrian fatality of 2026, following a year in which 19 pedestrians were killed in traffic‑related incidents across the city. The location of the collision, a busy corridor connecting residential neighborhoods to commercial areas, has been the site of previous safety concerns, particularly during evening hours when visibility is reduced.
Police closed portions of South Bascom Avenue and Borello Drive for several hours as they processed the scene and collected evidence. Officers emphasized that Villarreal’s death underscores the ongoing dangers pedestrians face on major roadways, especially in areas without designated crossing points. Community members have expressed frustration over repeated hit‑and‑run cases and the difficulty of holding fleeing drivers accountable.
The investigation remains active, and San Jose police are urging anyone with information to come forward. Detectives are asking residents with security cameras facing the roadway to review their footage from around the time of the crash. As Villarreal’s family mourns his loss, authorities continue working to identify the driver responsible and bring closure to the case.