Child killed while bicycling at Park Victoria and Kennedy Drives in Milpitas on Jan 19

We regretfully share the tragic news that a 7-year-old boy, Haolan “Andrew” Chen was killed by a woman driving a stolen SUV, while out for a bike ride with his father and sister in Milpitas on Monday afternoon, Jan. 19,  according to police. Our condolences to Andrew’s family and friends.

Around 3:20 p.m. on Monday, the woman driving the SUV hit Andrew while he and his family were walking their bikes across the street in a crosswalk at the intersection of Park Victoria and Kennedy Drives in Milpitas. The driver was driving at an unsafe speed for the residential area and failed to stop for the posted stop signs at the intersection. Soon after the collision, the driver ditched the stolen white Lexus near Nicklaus Avenue and fled on foot, but she was caught and arrested on suspicion of homicide, possession of a stolen vehicle, and felony hit-and-run.  

 This should never happen on our streets, no matter the circumstances. Children should be able to walk and bike safely on our streets without fear of speeding vehicles or distracted drivers. We need better and safer infrastructure for people of all ages bicycling and walking. SVBC will continue its work to make bicycling safe for all people.

The City of Milpitas’s General Plan includes policies that support Complete Streets. The City is in the process of completing the Trail, Pedestrian, and Bicycle Master plan. Please review and comment on the plan before the end of the public comment period on April 26.  The plan includes a recommendation to implement a low-stress bicycle network to provide comfortable cycling for all ages and abilities in Milpitas. These plans will guide Milpitas’s future Capital Improvement Program to continue improvement of the City’s bike facilities.