A pregnant woman was killed during a hit-and-run crash between two vehicles in San Jose, California, on Oct. 24, and her child, who was delivered by emergency cesarean section, later died.
The incident occurred when a 2008 black Nissan sedan, occupied by a pregnant adult female driver, was traveling eastbound on Blossom Hill Road, according to the San Jose Police Department.
The vehicle was involved in a collision with a 2013 white Hyundai sedan occupied by two unknown males, which was traveling southbound on Winfield Boulevard.
Police responded to the major injury collision at approximately 8:42 p.m., law enforcement officials said in a statement.
The two unknown males in the Hyundai sedan fled the vehicle immediately after crashing and police later discovered the vehicle was stolen but had not been reported as such.
No further information was provided regarding the two males and their whereabouts remain unclear.
The pregnant woman, who was not identified by police, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries but was subsequently pronounced dead.
Doctors performed an emergency C-section on the woman and her child was “successfully delivered but remains in critical condition,” police said initially.
Victim Was 8 Months Pregnant
Family and friends of the soon-to-be mother held a candlelit vigil at the site of the crash on Wednesday evening, according to video footage shared on social media.The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner identified the woman killed as April Marie Zoglauer, 21, in a statement to KTVU FOX 2.
When contacted for comment, the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner did not provide further details regarding the incident.
A fundraiser set up by friends of the victim describes her as “a cherished preschool teacher” who was “beloved by all her students.”
“April was 27 weeks pregnant when the crash occurred. They took her in for an emergency C-Section,” the fundraiser states.
“Baby Devontae Aaron Zoglauer fought very hard but unfortunately passed at 9:15 pm last night (10/25), about 24 hours after the crash. He was loved fiercely during his brief time here on earth and will be deeply missed.”
“To be honest, when I heard the news I was just stopped in my tracks,” Mr. Mahan said. “Frankly, I’m also angry. We see far too many traffic-related accidents; the best information we have is this involved a stolen vehicle and speeding.”
According to police, the latest collision marks the 42nd fatal collision and the 43rd traffic death of 2023 in San Jose this year.
Anyone with information relating to the tragic incident is being urged to contact the San Jose Police Department’s Traffic Investigations Unit.
Separately, the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program is also offering a cash reward to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest in this case.
