Full Notification

On December 6, 2020, at about 11:32am, a citizen reported a person down in the roadway on Broadway, east of Wayland Ln. The pedestrian was transported to the hospital but died of the injuries he sustained when a vehicle struck him. Gilroy Police Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) took over the investigation that afternoon.
 
Through witness and video evidence, the investigators were able to determine a vehicle description. A Santa Clara Sheriff’s Department Sergeant, who lives in Gilroy, was aware of the incident and the description of the vehicle. On the morning of December 7, 2020, the Sheriff’s Sergeant saw the vehicle in San Jose and called marked units to the scene to stop the vehicle. Gilroy Police Officers went to the scene, interviewed the passengers and driver of the vehicle, and took the vehicle via tow truck to the Santa Clara County Crime Lab.
 
Investigators authored numerous search warrants, conducted additional interviews, collected and analyzed surveillance video, and conducted a vehicle inspection. The Santa Clara County Crime Lab obtained evidence from the suspect’s vehicle and all the information was analyzed by the Santa Clara County DA’s office and a warrant obtained for the person Gilroy Police Department believe to be the driver.
 
On October 27, 2021, Gilroy Traffic Officers went the home of Jose Elias Zuniga (38) and arrested him for 20001(a) Vehicle Code – Hit and Run Causing Injury or Death, 192(c)(2) Penal Code – Vehicular Manslaughter, 14601.2(a) Vehicle Code – Drive While License Suspended for DUI and 21950(a) Vehicle Code – Fail to Yield to a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk.
 
During the investigation, MAIT investigators were able to determine the victim left his family at home to go for an afternoon stroll, and as he crossed Broadway walking southbound in the unpainted crosswalk, Zuniga struck the Victim from behind and didn’t stop to render aid. The Victim’s family is understandably devastated and is being assisted by Victim Advocates from the District Attorney’s Office.
 
The Gilroy Police Department is grateful to our Santa Clara County law enforcement officers at the Crime Lab and the Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in this investigation.
 
Please contact Officer Romero at 408-846-0523 with any information.  Refer to case 20-5590.  Parties wishing to remain anonymous may call our Tip Line at 408-846-0330.