San Jose: Motorist fatally strikes bicyclist downtown, police say

A motorist struck and killed a bicyclist early Sunday morning in downtown San Jose, then fled the scene, police officials said.

Officers responded at about 4:30 a.m. to the intersection of South 1st Street and Reed Street on reports of a collision between a cyclist and vehicle. Rescuers provided life-saving measures, but the cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said they are investigating the incident as a hit-and-run. In a statement Sunday afternoon, authorities said they were looking for the driver of a newer dark blue or black Chevrolet Silverado truck, which was driving the wrong way in southbound lanes of the street before the crash. The truck had a cover over its bed and should have front-end damage, police added.

The identity of the person killed was not immediately released pending notification of their next of kin.

According to San Jose police, this death is the second traffic fatality for 2021. In 2020, seven of the 50 roadway victims recorded were bicyclists.