Woman dies in head-on collision on San Jose neighborhood street
San Jose police on Monday shared updated details about a fatal head-on crash in a residential area that occurred over the weekend.
Authorities said the violent, high-speed crash took place around 2:35 p.m. Saturday near Foxworthy and Jarvis avenues.
According to early findings, a man driving a GMC Yukon was heading east on Foxworthy Avenue when he attempted to pass a Subaru Forester by moving to the right. During the maneuver, the Yukon hit the Forester, sending the SUV into oncoming traffic where it collided head-on with a Honda CR-V.
The CR-V’s driver, identified as 74-year-old Ellen Orcutt, died at the scene. Police said the Yukon driver was transported to a hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries. The Subaru driver was unhurt.
Orcutt’s brother, Marc Boyd, said she lived close by and had been on her way to the bank to withdraw money for her grandchildren. He described her as someone who dedicated 35 years to working with nonprofits supporting families, people experiencing homelessness and survivors of domestic abuse.
“She was just a wonderful person — very giving, sweet, kind, generous,” Boyd said.
Security footage captured the moment the Yukon struck the CR-V, overturned and burst into flames.
“I came outside and the car was literally on fire,” neighborhood resident Israel Lomeli said. “I was panicking and telling the dispatcher to hurry — the car’s upside down, there are two cars, and someone’s hurt.”
Neighbors believe the Yukon was traveling at more than twice the 30 mph speed limit.
Following the crash, residents began circulating a petition urging the city to install speed bumps or additional stop signs to deter speeding.