A 23-year-old San Jose man died in a March 8 traffic collision north of Morgan Hill, according to authorities.
About 7:40 p.m., a 61-year-old man driving a 2016 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup was pulling out of a private driveway at 500 Peebles Ave., just west of Calle Moniz, reads a press release from the California Highway Patrol. A 2012 Nissan Altima, driven by Benito J. Mercado, 23, was approaching westbound on Peebles Avenue toward the driveway where the Dodge was exiting.
The Dodge made a left turn onto Peebles Avenue after the driver observed the Nissan approach, according to police. Due to the Nissan’s “unsafe speed,” the front of the vehicle collided with the rear of the Dodge.
Because of the force of the impact, police think Mercado suffered major, life-threatening immediately upon the collision. Police also think the Nissan driver was not wearing a seatbelt.
A witness arrived at the scene shortly after the collision and called 911, police said. Fire and ambulance personnel arrived and administered first aid and CPR. Mercado was transported to San Jose Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:37 p.m.
Police do not think alcohol or drugs were a factor in the collision, which remains under investigation.
