Probe into Gilroy traffic fatality finds driver failed to yield

GILROY — The Gilroy Police Department has wrapped up its investigation into a crash that claimed the lives of a mother and father earlier this year, finding that the driver failed to yield to the couple and that “visual obstructions” were contributing factors.

Andrew Stuart, 44, and Stacia Stuart, 43, were walking in a crosswalk at Charles Lux Drive and Lopez Way when a teen driver hit them just after 8 a.m. on Jan. 16, according to police and the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office. The couple had just dropped off their daughter at Las Animas Elementary School.

Andrew died at the scene. Stacia was taken to an area hospital, where she later died.

In an update Friday, the city of Gilroy and the Gilroy Police Department said the major accident investigation team ultimately determined that the driver “failed to yield to pedestrians” while making a right turn from Charles Lux Drive onto Lopez Way.

Officers also “identified environmental visual obstructions and physical visual obstructions in the vehicle as contributing factors in the incident,” as well as documented other vehicle code violations “related to equipment requirements and driver restrictions.”

The case has been submitted to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and the Santa Clara County Juvenile Probation Department for review, according to the update. Any charging decisions will be determined by the District Attorney’s Office.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to address safety around Las Animas. They include increased patrols during drop-off and pick-up times and an independent traffic study of intersections surrounding the school, according to the update. The city and school district are also working to improve vehicle safety measures and flow at school sites.

“The city is committed to working closely with the community to improve safety around our schools,” Mayor Greg Bozzo said. “Keeping our community safe is a shared responsibility; it takes all of us looking out for one another. When driving through town, please slow down, stay alert, and help us protect our students and neighbors.”

Anyone with information related to the case can contact the police department’s Traffic Unit at 408-846-0350.