The child, identified as Olivier Carmelo Sgarlata, was walking in the complex parking lot along Canoas Garden Avenue around 4:30 p.m. when a minivan operating as a privately-owned taxi hit him, according to San Jose police.
Witnesses told ABC7 that emergency responders attempted CPR at the scene before the boy was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
The driver remained at the scene and officials determined that alcohol and drugs were not believed to be a factor.
Flowers and tire marks remained at the scene a day later as neighbors struggled to process the loss.
MORE: Woman charged with vehicular manslaughter in SF crash that killed 2-year-old in crosswalk
"It's a very big, huge loss. It's an 18-month-old baby and it's a baby boy. And I pray to God the family can recover from this incident," one neighbor said.
"I just cannot imagine the pain that they must be going through after the loss. So huge, the loss of a baby that didn't have the chance to live," another added.
Neighbors described a heartbreaking scene following the crash, saying the boy's mother, residents and even some police officers were seen in tears at the location.
One neighbor said she saw the child's mother shortly after the collision.
"She was hysterical, she had her hands over her eyes," that neighbor said. "And I think the baby left in the ambulance without her because we saw the mother get into a police vehicle...And I just said we're praying for you and she said thank you."
MORE: Parents of boy killed in Burlingame 'chain reaction' crash sue city, driver, e-bike rider's parents
"This is a really raw case. Someone just lost a loved one. While our detectives conduct a thorough investigation to figure out the motives and circumstances, I know a lot of people have questions. We do too. This is a tragedy no one wanted to imagine happening, and we're trying to get the same answers as well," SJPD Sr. Public Information Representative Stacie Shih said.
The death marks San Jose's 16th traffic fatality of the year and the second involving a child. At this point last year, the city had recorded nine fatal traffic incidents, none involving children.
Twenty-four hours after the crash, tire marks and police markings were still visible near where neighbors say speeding has been an ongoing concern. Some residents said they feared a tragedy was inevitable.
"The cars, they drive very fast on this side. When we heard it was a child, we just felt, you know, scared. And we cannot imagine if that happened to our kids," said neighbor Carlos Mendoza.
Police said no alcohol or drugs were involved, and the driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.
Anyone with information on this investigation is urged to contact Detective White #4638 of the San José Police Department's Traffic Investigations Unit at: 4638@sanjoseca.gov or 408-277-4654.