Jesus Orozco Plancarte, thirty-first traffic fatal in San Jose in 2019

Our hearts are heavy with the news of yet another biking related fatality in San José, the 31st traffic fatality this year in the city. Jesus Orozco Plancarte, age 44, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in San Jose on August 29th just after 2 pm while walking his bicycle in the crosswalk on the corner of Story Rd. and South Jackson Ave. This dangerous location is the intersection of two Vision Zero Priority Safety Corridors in San Jose.San José police arrested a suspect in connection with this fatal hit-and-run on Friday, Sept. 6th. Police identified the suspect as Jesse Alonso Aguilar, 26, of San Jose.Since Jesus' death on August 29th, five more people have been killed in fatal collisions in San Jose bring the total number of fatalities for 2019 to date to thirty-six. Jesus was the 4th bicyclist killed this year.These moments sadden us and motivate us to push harder to make San José streets safer. We were gladdened to learn that Mayor Sam Liccardo and Councilmember Magdalena submitted a memo asking for an emergency funding and prioritization to make this intersection safer.  Magdalena wrote "I presented a memo co-signed by Mayor Liccardo to begin engineering work on the Vision Zero corridors of Jackson and Story Road. We hope to fund needed safety enhancements which can include of myriad of improvements including enhanced crosswalks, bulb outs and brighter signage and lights. The item passed unanimously, and I will continue to look for resources."SVBC is actively engaged with San José city officials as they create the new two-year Vision Zero action plan for 2020/21 due in November. We will let you know our opinion of it. Please contact your San José council member and encourage them to make safety for everyone a higher priority.  #VisionZero