Today is the last day of class at James Lick High School in East San Jose before Thanksgiving vacation, but instead of celebrating for the holidays -- many students are mourning the death of their 14-year-old classmate.
"You're experiencing that loss in the place that you're used to experiencing that student. And there are physical reminders of that student being gone. There's an empty chair," said James Lick High School Principal Glenn Vander Zee.
The 9th grader was hit by a car late Sunday night on White Road after leaving her boyfriend's house. She was taken to the hospital where she later died. Her parents had a message for students.
"They said, we'd really benefit from their thoughts and prayers, but also just for students to just be careful and make good decisions," said Vander Zee.
The student's death was the second of three pedestrian deaths in less than a 48 hour time span in San Jose starting Sunday afternoon. Three-year old Elijah was being pushed in a stroller by a 13-year-old family friend with his five-year-old sister when they were hit by a pickup truck in the crosswalk at Vine and Oak streets. Police say the driver failed to yield.
The two girls had minor injuries, Elijah died at the hospital.
"He was an awesome little blue eyed, blonde haired smartest three-year-old that I ever met in my whole life. Honestly, I've never seen a three-year-old so smart. He was just brave and he was happy always," said family friend Maria Rodriguez.
The latest pedestrian death came late last night on a stretch of Monterey Road. Police say a 50-year-old woman was hit and killed while crossing just before 11 p.m. She was the 24th pedestrian death in San Jose in 2013 -- that's an eight year high.
"It is high and we are concerned. So, we're asking drivers to drive cautiously and also pedestrians when you're crossing the street to use caution," said San Jose Police Spokeswoman Sgt. Heather Randol.
All of the drivers stayed at the scene. Police say alcohol or drugs was not a factor in any of the cases. The investigations will have to be completed before we find out if any of the drivers will face charges.
